#KeralaSexAbuse: Confessions in churches misused, women's panel wants it abolished
In light of two sex scandals that rocked Kerala churches, the National Commission for Women (NCW) has asked the government to step up and abolish the practice of 'confession' as it obstructs women safety. The confessions the women made in confidence were used to harass them sexually, NCW alleged. An official said these cases are on a rise in Kerala, IE reports.
The confession, the misuse: Priests assaulted Kerala woman for months
A man alleged five priests of Kerala's Malankara Orthodox church sexually abused his wife and used her confession to blackmail her. The abuse started with one priest, and later another one exploited the woman too. This case caught the nationwide attention after the church said it was probing the allegations (not the police). After much outcry, the concerned authorities took over the case.
After sex-scandal, a bishop was accused of raping nun
Closer to this scandal in the church, another abuse charges rocked Kerala when a bishop was accused of raping a nun. The nun in Kerala's Syro-Malabar church alleged Jalandhar's Bishop Frank Mullakkal raped her thirteen times in two years. The bishop, however, denied the charges and said the nun was taking revenge as he took disciplinary action against her.
Sadly, sacrament of church is used to exploit women
NCW chairperson Rekha Sharma said they want a central agency investigation into these two cases. Sharma then said the practice of confessions needs to be abolished to ensure women's safety. "It is being misused by the priests. Many women are suffering. Women cannot share their private life with priests," Sharma said. Notably, confession is one of the seven sacraments of the church.
Not only women, even men can be abused, claims Sharma
"The confession could give an opportunity for the priests to exploit even men. With women, they can sexually exploit them. But with men, they could blackmail them for money. So this confession should go from the churches," Sharma added.
But isn't NCW meddling in 'religious affairs'? Sharma replies
By calling for abolishing 'one of the holy practices', NCW is likely to face ire from the community. But Sharma is not worried. She said if a religious practice exploited women, it should go. "The women should not confess, especially before men. If we do not raise such issues and try to make changes, who will?" Sharma asked, making a valid point.
Incidentally, this proposal of NCW has already found resistance
Major Archbishop of the Syro-Malankara Catholic Church, Cardinal Baselios Cleemis, said this proposal of NCW was 'unacceptable'. "Confession is an issue of faith," the Cardinal said. Further, he said the Article 25 of the Indian Constitution gave the right to practice religion. "By proposing this abolition of confession, the NCW is encroaching on that freedom," he said.
Further, Cardinal says crime against women shouldn't be tolerated
While saying he wanted to know government's reaction to NCW's proposal, the Cardinal added that perpetrators of crime against women should be punished. Meanwhile, Sharma said the agencies needed to act fast on these two cases. She added the accused have not been removed from Church, but 'sent on leave.' "Once things are cooled down, they will come back," she said.
