Group wants probe into latest nun suicide

Dec 11, 2021

NEW DELHI: A group of Catholics have urged the Conference of Religious India (CRI) to investigate the recent suicide of Sr Mary Mercy, a member of the Franciscan Immaculate Sisters.

A letter signed by senior nuns, theologians and laywomen said it would be helpful to “find out what needs to be done in order to prevent the repeated occurrence of these sad and traumatic incidents” among nuns.

It further suggested that the CRI send a fact-finding team to her convent in Jalandhar Diocese, in the northern state of Punjab, to ascertain the facts of the case.

Sr Noellz De Souza, a member of the Missionaries of Christ Jesus who is among the signatories to the letter, said that “the audit finding will help religious congregations to develop a mechanism to deal with such situations.”

The December 8 letter addressed to Apostolic Carmel Sr Maria Nirmalini, the newly appointed CRI president, pointed out that the death of Sister Mercy was the latest among “nearly 20 reported suicides since 1987 involving novices and sisters serving in Catholic religious communities, mostly in Kerala, a southern state.

“It troubles us, and we ask ourselves why some young women who join religious life with so much joy and eagerness to serve God and other people end up taking their own lives,” the letter said.

Thirty-year-old Sr Mercy was found hanging from a window of the convent’s chapel on Nov 30. Her family members have sought a police investigation, suspecting foul play behind her death, a charge denied by the congregation.

The letter underlined how suicides and suicide attempts have a ripple effect that impacts families, friends, and communities, including religious communities.

“For those bereaved by the suicide of a loved one, the experience is not only very traumatic but also stigmatising,” the letter added.

“Media coverage often reflects the hesitation of congregations and Church leaders to report the news, and this leads to a delay in investigations, as well as creating suspicion as to the cause and circumstances leading to the suicide,” the letter said, adding that this only serves to add unnecessary speculation and cause even more pain and anguish to the loved ones.

The letter also urged the CRI to insist that every congregation put in place a mental health policy and action plan in consultation with professionals, and actively work to promote and nurture the mental and spiritual wellbeing of their members. — ucanews.com