O J’s Corner

Craning the neck too much

Kerala Women’s Commission’s recommendation to frame legislation banning forced conscription to the nun’s world before a girl attained the age of eighteen years, it appears, has been made without doing much-needed homework. Before officially mentioning anything on the issue, it should have got the version of the church.

Now the church has made it clear that the age-old practice as per the canon law centres around absorbing anyone as a nun only after attaining the age of eighteen years. Girls who have completed the training have the freedom to renounce the vow. I know many gentlemen, who are a disciplined lot, who have renounced the cassock after completing the training for nine years or so.

The property of those who become nuns and priests should be left to them to be decided. What is the harm in the nuns and priests handing over their assets and income to the body or association which takes care of their entire life? Those who differ with the idea can very well keep off. Sure enough, there should be no coercion for enlistment. In today’s emancipated world, is it possible for anybody to be made a nun or a priest?

The Commission should not have gone public without eliciting the views of all concerned, including the church. The micro issues cannot be made a macro matter. Individual cases should have been handled on a case by case basis.