"Ordinary believers have far more goodness than the so-called ‘holy people," says Sister Jesme.
Sister Jesme, 62, left the Congregation of Mother of Carmel (CMC) in Kerala 10 years ago and wrote an autobiography ‘Amen’ that detailed corruption, sexual abuse and gender discrimination in the church. It was her way of saying #MeToo against the powerful and the patriarchal.
In Bengaluru to protest recent cases of exploitation of nuns, the former nun with a doctorate in English literature, spoke to ET’s Divya J Shekhar.
How has life been since you left the congregation? I have got back the freedom to live life on my own terms. My latest book, releasing next month, is a sequel to my 2009 autobiography ‘Amen’. It is called ‘Meendum Amen’ (Amen Again), written in Malayalam, and talks about my experiences after exiting the church. I also conduct workshops and teach women to be intellectually wellequipped. Empowerment has been my biggest learning. With courage, a woman can carve out her own life even when the odds are stacked against her.
How do you view view Bishop Franco Mulakkal’s arrest? Arrest is the first sign of victory. Now, it is up to the courts to deliver justice. The Church is a huge force to go up against. Even after 10 years, I am harassed. The Church is deaf to progressive voices. Today, Sister Lucy, one of the group of nuns who protested in Kerala, has been barred from communion, social service and teaching. Even others are getting punished. Patriarchy is still strong as is the greed for amassing money and power. The Church must understand that the Law of Obedience shouldn’t ask us to surrender our intelligence and free will. Ordinary believers have far more goodness than the so-called ‘holy people’.
She quit the Church 10 years ago and wrote on corruption, sexual abuse & gender bias. Critics ask why the victim didn’t report the abuse earlier… How can you escape and speak out easily when your abusers are the custodians of your home and monitoring your every move? If you are intimidated, mentally and physically harassed, how can you find your voice? Look at social worker Daya Bai, who recently recounted how she used to burn her body with candles to ward off sexual advances from a senior priest. Nobody can fathom what happens inside a convent.
How can nuns be empowered? Backlash from family and society and financial difficulty are the reasons why nuns hesitate to come out. A majority of these women cannot be leaders and just want to follow someone. Even policemen, politicians and the law find it difficult to enter the enclosures of the Church, which is shut out from the rest of the world. Nuns should be exposed to new knowledge, the news, debates and discussions worldwide. I teach young girls that to be devoted to Jesus, one need not be slaves to the tyranny of nunneries or seminaries.
ADVERTISEMENT
Uber And Other Firms Who Had To Cough Up Millions Against Sexual Harassment Lawsuits
1/7
With Uber agreeing to pay up $10 million to 56 employees to settle an October 2017 lawsuit alleging sexual harassment, here’s how much some other big companies had to dish out for similar claims.
(Text: Viandra D'souza)
With Uber agreeing to pay up $10 million to 56 employees to settle an October 2017 lawsuit alleging sexual harassment, here’s how much some other big companies had to dish out for similar claims.
(..
Read More
$10 million
In 2017, the motor company apologised to its employees for sexual harassment at two of its Chicago plants. In an open letter, CEO Jim Hackett wrote, “I am sorry for any instance where a colleague was subjected to harassment or discriminatory conduct. More importantly, I promise that we will learn from this and we will do better.” The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission reached a $10 million agreement for 70 employees who detailed accounts of sexual harassment and retaliation at the two factories.
$10 million
In 2017, the motor company apologised to its employees for sexual harassment at two of its Chicago plants. In an open letter, CEO Jim Hackett wrote, “I am sorry for any instance where a..
Read More
$32 million
Bill O’Reilly was the star of the network, that is, until it came to light that he had agreed to a $32m sexual harassment settlement in January 2016, which the network knew about when it gave him a new contract the next month. The previously undisclosed agreement, at least the sixth involving O’Reilly, was made with Lis Wiehl, a former Fox News legal analyst. After a number of newspapers reported that the company had paid around $13 million in similar sexual harassment settlements on behalf of O’Reilly over the years, the host was forced to resign.
$32 million
Bill O’Reilly was the star of the network, that is, until it came to light that he had agreed to a $32m sexual harassment settlement in January 2016, which the network knew about when i..
Read More
$7.5 million
Casino magnate Steve Wynn, who stepped down as chairman of Wynn Resorts, paid $7.5 million as settlement to a former employee who accused him of sexual harassment in 2005. The company saw its market cap drop over $2 billion in a day after it was reported that dozens of people who worked for Wynn described patterns of sexual misconduct dating back decades. The $7.5 million claim was made to a former manicurist who worked at the company’s Las Vegas resort.
$7.5 million
Casino magnate Steve Wynn, who stepped down as chairman of Wynn Resorts, paid $7.5 million as settlement to a former employee who accused him of sexual harassment in 2005. The company ..
Read More
$3 million
In 2014, Araceli Roiz, a senior employee of outsourcing company iGate Corp took legal action against the company and its CEO Phaneesh Murthy. An investigation found him guilty and Murthy was subsequently sacked. This episode took place just years after Infosys fired Murthy when his former executive secretary Reka Maximovitch complained of sexual harassment. He faced a second charge around the same time when Jennifer Griffith levelled similar complaints resulting in a $ 800,000 settlement. As per reports, Infosys subsequently settled the lawsuit out of court for $3 million and fired him in 2002.
$3 million
In 2014, Araceli Roiz, a senior employee of outsourcing company iGate Corp took legal action against the company and its CEO Phaneesh Murthy. An investigation found him guilty and Murthy..
Read More
$1 million
In 2012, Missoula Mac Inc., the franchisee-owner of 25 McDonald’s restaurants in the US, agreed to pay $1 million to nearly a dozen former employees to settle a federal sexual harassment lawsuit. The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission had filed a class-action lawsuit alleging male employees at some of the restaurants had been sexually harassing female co-workers since at least 2006. One woman quit and two other women were fired after they complained repeatedly about their co-workers’ behaviour. Under the settlement, Missoula Mac had to pay the money to the three women and seven others.
$1 million
In 2012, Missoula Mac Inc., the franchisee-owner of 25 McDonald’s restaurants in the US, agreed to pay $1 million to nearly a dozen former employees to settle a federal sexual harassment..
Read More
$500 million
Michigan State University paid a hefty $500 million settlement to women who reported sexual assault by the varsity sports doctor Larry Nassar. More than 300 women were sexually abused by the former USA Gymnastics team doctor, and testified against him. Among them was also Olympic medalist Simone Biles. The 54-year-old was sentenced from 40 to 175 years in prison for sexual assault and 60 years for child pornography charges.
$500 million
Michigan State University paid a hefty $500 million settlement to women who reported sexual assault by the varsity sports doctor Larry Nassar. More than 300 women were sexually abused ..
