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Ex-nun seeks justice against priest for 'deceptive sexual violence' (Part 1 of 3)
A woman has been struggling with mental health issues as she seeks justice for the alleged sexual violence with attempt to deceive that she experienced as a nun, when a priest in her diocese in Sumba got her pregnant and continues to find refuge in the Catholic Church. The Jakarta Post has been collaborating with other media outlets to shed light on alleged sexual abuse cases surrounding the Catholic Church over the past year. This time, the Post collaborated with Katolikana, an independent Catholic media outlet. This is the first in a three-part story.
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A stock illustration of sexual predation and abuse of power in Catholic institutions (JP/Hengky Wijaya)
T
he Jakarta Post has been collaborating with other media outlets to shed light on alleged sexual abuse cases surrounding the Catholic Church over the past year. This time, the Post collaborated with Katolikana, an independent Catholic media outlet. This is the first in a three-part story.
Afra (not her real name), a 41-year-old woman and former Catholic nun, has been struggling to restart her life after miscarrying a child she conceived with a 33-year-old priest of her diocese in Southwest Sumba regency, East Nusa Tenggara (NTT).
She accuses the priest of breaking his promise, and has said it is unfair that the man was able to remain a priest after his “punishment”, whereas she could no longer become a nun, even though she wanted to.
The accused priest, identified only as MT, is currently being given shelter by the Roman Catholic Diocese of Weetebula in NTT, which has reportedly moved to “punish” the father of the miscarried child.
His victim, on the other hand, continues to struggle with her mental health, even as she seeks legal protection and support from the Catholic Church leadership with the assistance of humanitarian groups. The activists with direct knowledge of her case say it is one of sexual violence resulting from abuse of power.
The Weetebula diocese insists that the institution of church should be considered “a victim” and not “a perpetrator”, while noting that “two consenting adults” had committed “the deed”.
In an interview with The Jakarta Post and independent Catholic media outlet Katolikana, the ex-nun opened up about her past relationship with the priest, saying that they had entered into a consensual sexual relationship. However, the priest abandoned her not too long after she became pregnant.
