Kerala govt to provide social security benefits to women in religious institutions; Nun raises caution

Even as the Kerala government's decision to bring women in religious institutions like convents and ashrams under the purview of social security schemes could bring relief to many nuns, a nun has raised a caution.

The state government on Wednesday decided to bring women inmates of religious institutions who are aged above 50 and are not having any other source of income under the purview of social security schemes like monthly pension. They will be considered as a separate category and will be given exemptions in the requirements like income and unmarried certificates.

A nun, who has been fighting against the harassment that nuns face, has raised a caution.

Sister Lucy Kalapura of the Mananthavady diocese at Wayanad in North Kerala said in a social media post that there was a common practice that the earnings of members of congregations goes to the common fund of the congregations. Hence the social security pension that the government plans to give to nuns may also go to the common funds and the nuns would remain cashless. Hence there should be a system to ensure that the nuns get the benefit of the government's initiative, she urged.

The government decision to extend support to women at religious institutions came close on the heels of the plight of a nun, who raised sexual assault allegation against former Jalandhar bishop Franco Mulackal, came out. Sister Ranit, who filed the complaint against Franco, and a few others who supported her are being denied support from the congregation and hence they are struggling to meet their expenses at St Francis Mission Home in Kuravilangadu in Kottayam. Franco was acquitted in the case.