Expenses Over Nuns Explained

Press, Volume CX, Issue 32386, 27 August 1970, Page 15

Expenses Over Nuns Explained

(N.Z.P.A.-Reuter —Copyright) LONDON, August 26. Two British convents last night defended the practice of paying expenses for young Indian girls to join them as novices.

They were commenting on recent allegations that people were making money out of “selling” girls’ to convents, which has come to be called “nun-running ” Mother Madeleine, who was mother superior at the convent of Our Lady of Providence at Alton, southern England, when 10 young Indian girls were brought to England, said: “It is true that we contributed £3OOO towards the expenses of 10 novices from Kerala. But when you consider that this covers the cost of their fares, as well as that of visas, passports, and other expenses at the other end, this is not excessive." Asked whether the girls, who were all in their 20s, had joined the convent as an "escape from poverty.” Mother Madelaine said: “They were not poverty-stricken. I can say for certain that they came out of a genuine desire to serve God. “Nine of them have now taken their vows, and are very happy. They are perhaps a little homesick sometimes, but they would not be human if they weren’t.” Mother Madelaine said that one of the girls was sent home three years ago, as after a year at the convent she was

found not to have a religious vocation. Her return fare was paid in full, and she received £lOO in addition to that.

At nearby St Lucy’s Convent in Medstead, five girls from Kerala were recruited two years ago. According to Sister Josephine, who is temporarily in charge of the convent, they are all happy.

“I can’t comment on whether the £260 contributed towards each passage is excessive. I just don’t know,” she said. But she added: “I ean say quite definitely that they all came out of a desire to join the convent” She said that all five Were free to leave when they wanted. Airline officials have estimated that a single one-way tourist class ticket from Kerala via Rome would cost about £195.