Even as the Catholic Church is under fire owing to the recent scandal involving a bishop who allegedly abused a nun, a leading catholic magazine came out with a scathing editorial, throwing light on the prevalent misogyny in the Catholic institutions and the many troubles faced by nuns.
Indian Currents, an English weekly under the patronage of the Capuchins of Krist Jyoti Province, published a collection of articles, including a stinging editorial, about the life of nuns, the subjugation and abuse faced by them and how they are forced into silence. The articles point out that nuns are "treated as subordinates and handmaidens".
The articles reveal that often the nuns do not report the abuses they face from the priests for the fear of being ostracised by the all-powerful priestly class. They are also aware that their fellow nuns and superiors will offer little help and empathy, forcing them to remain silent victims of constant abuse. "Lack of respect, sexual abuse, low wages, stereotyping of roles, degrading conversations are some of the more obvious," reveals Indian Currents.
The congregation these nuns belong to, seldom comes to the support of the survivor. According to the articles, many of those in power, despite their good intentions, become "complicit in covering up case after case and failing to condemn it in absolute terms and take actions against the guilty". Victim blaming appears to be the norm in the church as many in positions of power accuse the victims of tempting "their brothers and fathers", while turning a blind eye to the crimes and misdeeds of the clergymen.
The editorial column of Indian Currents reveals how the nuns are bereft of basic amenities like sanitary pads. "There are also instances of denial of basic facilities in many convents. It may sound primitive, but it is a fact that in many cases, nuns and novices continue with the unhygienic practice of using cloth during their menstruation period as sanitary pads are a strict ‘no’," it reads.
The editorial goes on to point out how nuns working abroad do not get enough holidays to visit their family members. Besides, earning and non-earning members of the same congregation are treated differently, putting those who are unable to earn an income under stress.
In another article published in the same magazine, Indian Currents, the writer reveals how many nuns are also deprived of basic pay and access to mobile phones and e-mails. The author goes on to say how the nuns fail to break free as the fear of "social stigma of quitting religious life forces them to go with the crowd helplessly spending life by singing, decorating churches and doing daily chores".