A former Catholic Reverend Sister, Anastasia Kinse has accused the Roman Catholic church of prioritizing its public image over justice, stressing that her superiors and the bishop failed to seek her side of the story of sexual harassment.
Kinse however, said that despite all that took place, she remains spiritually consecrated, stressing that no letter of dismissal can nullify her vows before God.
The concerned former Reverend Sister expressed serious disappointment over the way and manner her case was handled and treated, saying that to her greatest surprise, it was the priests who had previously made advances toward her that were ironically appointed to “counsel” her.
She said that as part of the plot to get at her, they opted to contact her family and told them that she was mentally unstable, all in a deliberate attempt to discredit her.
Kinse explained that her controversial dismissal from the Congregation of Mother of Perpetual Help of the Archangels Sisters under the Auchi Diocese in Edo State, followed a sexual harassment complaint she made against some of her superiors.
In the words of Kinse; “I was unjustly expelled after reporting a case of sexual harassment at Veritas University, Abuja, where I was serving as a Graduate Assistant. This was after I had devoted ten years of my life to religious service.
“I would rather hawk chin-chin and groundnuts on the street than to sell my body in spite of the harsh realities I’m facing following my dismissal,” she enthused.
Kinse also revealed that she is battling a painful disc bulge sustained in a past motorcycle accident, adding however, she cannot accept any form of assistance from those she knows contributed to her ordeal.
According to her; “Despite my financial struggles, I will maintain my dignity, independence and will not sell my body”.
Kinse said that her crisis began after she reported a senior academic staff with Veritas University over alleged sexual harassment, emphasising that instead of receiving protection or support, the institution turned against her, and subjected her to a disciplinary panel that was intimidating and clearly biased.
In her words; “My phone was confiscated during the session, and the questioning felt more like an interrogation of a suspect than the testimony of a victim.
“The eventual recommendation for my dismissal was based on false claims that I have renounced Christianity. My faith in divine justice remains unshaken even as my trust in human institutions has been severely tested,” she stated.
Kinse’s pathetic experience has shed light on the plight of women in religious and academic settings who dare to challenge abuse and misconduct as her decision to speak out despite personal and social backlash, has sparked renewed calls for transparency, justice, and stronger protection for whistleblowers within the Nigeria’s Catholic community.
