Congregation disowns nuns on strike

Kottayam: Through a press release on Monday, the Missionaries of Jesus congregation on Monday condemned and disowned the sit in strike being carried out by five nuns of the congregation at Kochi and demanded an investigation for finding out the external forces who are supporting the nuns.

The release signed by Mother General of the congregation, Regina MJ, and councilors Amala Virgin and Maria termed that the congregations
condemns the strike by the nuns siding with some of the organizations which always stood out against the church.

Supporting Bishop Franco the release said so. “  We come across an allegation that the congregation is not supporting the strike by the sisters and the sister who raised the allegation that the congregation is not supporting them.  It is not becoming to our conscience to crucify an innocent person on the basis
of the fake allegations being levelled by our sisters”,  the release said.

The release reiterates that  they are again officially informing the public and the civil society that the allegations of the Bishop Franco sexually abusing the nun from 2014 to 2016 as against the facts. The MJ cpngregation also raises a new argument by implying that the alleged sexual harassment was not forcefully done but with consent.

“ The sister is alleging that the Bishop Franco has sexually abused her on May 5th 2014. However, the Bishop participated in the functions at the house of the sister as per the invitation of her after the said date. The same sister  who raised the alllegation has coordinated the programs of the Bishop in the state till 2016. Any one can understand the fact that  a person who is forcefully molested could not do this.

“ There are no norms or stipulations in our congregation that one should participate mandatorily at the functions of the congregation in which the Bishop is participating. In that context the allegations of the sister is doubtful”, the release says.

The release also accuses the 5 among the sisters who are conducting strike at Kochi have flouted the norms of the congregation and are residing at the Kuravilangadu convent for being part of the strike.

The release alleges that certain external force entered the convent with the help of the five sisters and hurled death threat to them.  “

Our sisters have done this on the basis of the conspiracy of certain external forces. We are demanding an investigation into the team at which our sisters entered.

The release said that the political and cultural leaders should be carful not to be decived by the activities of these sisters.