Three Nuns Stitch a New Life with Clothing Venture After Church Ordeal

In a quiet corner of Kottayam, Kerala, the hum of sewing machines tells a story of resilience. Three nuns at St. Francis Mission Home in Kuravilangad are stitching together a new life—one garment at a time. Their venture, 'Stand By Me', is more than a business; it's a hard-won bid for survival after years of isolation and financial struggle stemming from their support of a nun who accused a bishop of rape.

A Protest That Changed Everything

Their journey began in 2018, when a nun accused former Jalandhar Bishop Franco Mulakkal of rape after church authorities failed to act. On September 8 that year, five nuns—including these three—staged a historic sit-in protest in Kochi, demanding justice. It was a bold challenge to the church's power structure. Bishop Mulakkal was arrested days later, but acquitted in January 2022 due to lack of evidence. The legal battle continues in the Kerala High Court.

Isolation and Struggle

After the acquittal, life inside the convent grew increasingly difficult. In 2023, their financial support was cut off, pushing them into dire straits. "We wondered how we would survive without even a penny in our hands," one nun recalled. Two of the five nuns left religious life; the remaining three stuck together, determined to carve out a future.

Stitching a New Path

With help from well-wishers, they bought sewing machines and revived tailoring skills learned years ago. Friends placed the first orders; word spread, and demand grew. Today, 'Stand By Me' employs two workers and has participated in exhibition sales across Kerala. The name, suggested by supporters, reflects the solidarity that sustained them. As one nun put it,

"The name was suggested by the very people who had stood by us through our most difficult years. We embraced it readily."

From measuring fabric to cutting cloth, each piece they create carries the weight of their past—and the promise of a self-reliant future.