Union of Catholic Asian News
October 9, 2009
http://www.ucanews.com/2009/10/09/nun%E2%80%99s-death-case-hampers-congregation%E2%80%99s-work-says-superior/
 |
| Sister Annie John |
NEW DELHI (UCAN) -- Scandals and controversies surrounding the mysterious death of a nun 17 years ago is taking a heavy toll on her congregation, says the congregation’s superior general.
“Much energy and time is being wasted fighting the case,” said Sister Annie John of the Sister of St. Joseph Congregation (SJC).
The body of the late nun Sister Abhaya was found in the well of the congregation’s Pius X Convent in Kottayam on March 28, 1992.
The Central Bureau of Investigation, India's top investigating agency, on Nov. 18, 2008, arrested an SJC nun, Sister Sephy, and two senior priests Fathers Thomas Kottoor and Jose Poothrukayil of Kottayam archdiocese, accusing them of murder.
Sister John says several investigating bodies have tried to solve the “mysterious death,” but “we don’t know the exact cause.” The superior general says her congregation “strongly believes” Sister Sephy and the two priests are innocent.
The Central Bureau of Investigation says Sister Sephy hit Sister Abhaya with an axe and the priests helped her dump the body in the convent well.
The priests and nun, who are on bail, have denied the charges.
The SJC congregation was founded 81 years ago in Kerala, southern India.
Sister John said the protracted case has made her congregation known internationally, but it would have preferred to be left alone to use its time and resources to spread the Gospel and serve society.
She says the media have sensationalized the case and accused the Church of trying to protect the culprits.
The murder mystery has become a “never ending and tiring process” that has brought a “lot of mental torture” for her congregation, Sister John told UCA News.
She said her congregation’s reputation was dented further when some television channels telecast on Sept. 14 alleged video footage of CBI interrogations of the accused.
Those video became mired in controversy amid questions of their authenticity. “No one has the original recordings,” said Sister John.
 |
| Sister Abhaya |
The allegations and humiliations have affected “our work and vocations,” Sister John said. The congregation has more than 60 convents and institutions in India and overseas where 375 members are engaged in social work, especially serving the physically and mentally handicapped.
The nun says she is worried now as fewer girls opt to join her congregation since the scandal broke. “Only four have joined us this year.”
The superior general said “anxious parents” often ask her nuns whether what appears in the media “really happens” in convents.
Despite the pain caused, the congregation views these travails as blessings in disguise.
“We have taken these humiliations and sufferings as opportunities to share in Christ’s passion,” Sister John said.
People who know the congregation or work with the nuns also support the congregation in this difficult time, she added. “They understand and sympathize with us but those who do not know us look on us with suspicion.”
Any original material on these pages is copyright © BishopAccountability.org 2004. Reproduce freely with attribution.