“I haven’t converted to Islam”: Nigerian “former” Catholic Nun Says She Made Viral FB Post in “extreme emotional stress”

She goes on to say, “I am no longer a Christian. My account is not hacked. I am now a Muslim convert.”

Later, the former MOPHAS member would make another lengthy Facebook post decrying abuse of Religious women. The August 24 Facebook post which elicited online debate was titled “Religious Sisters Are Not Priests’ Wives or Bedmates”.

In her post, Sr. Anastacia cautions Catholic Priests against treating women Religious as “ornaments in Habits.”

“We are not commodities for Priests to use at will, nor are we mistresses in veils. We are women called by God, consecrated to service, prayer, and the mission of the Church,” she says, and continues, “Yet too often, behind stained glass windows and polished marble altars, we are treated as less.”

She claims that a Priest once told her “Sisters are meant to be Priests’ wives”, and adds, “He did not say it in jest. He meant it. And he acted on it.”

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Anastasia further claims that hers was not an isolated case. “Too many Sisters know the pain of being reduced to temptation instead of being respected as collaborators in Christ’s vineyard. Too many know the silent wounds of manipulation—when a cleric uses ‘spiritual direction’ as a cover for advances, or when financial benefactors expect our dignity in exchange for support,” she says.

She goes ahead to blame Superiors of female Institutes of Consecrated Life and the Societies of Apostolic Life (ICLSAL), who she says, “wield authority as a weapon.”

“Sisters are silenced and maltreated leaving them vulnerable to predators. Others, instead of guiding with integrity, flirt with power and position while the rest are crushed under obedience without justice. We see this and stay silent,” the former MOPHAS member says.

She appeals to the Church to open channels of reporting abuse “without intimidation”, and adds, “We do not seek scandal or validation, likes or comments—we seek truth, justice, and dignity in the house of God.”

In the abuse claims, and the online debate that ensued, MOPHAS distanced itself from Anastacia, with officials of the Congregation clarifying that the Nun is no longer a member of the Congregation.

“Our attention has been drawn to the different publications on social media by former Sr. Kinse Shako Anastasia who continues to present herself as a member of our Religious Congregation,” the officials said in a letter dated August 29 that the Superior General, Sr. Maryanne Ogwokhademhe and Sr. Rosemary Odion, the Secretary General co-signed.

They added, “For the avoidance of doubt, we wish to state clearly that former Sr. Kinse Shako Annastasia … ceased to be a member of our Congregation when she defected from the Catholic Faith and embraced the Islamic Religion.”

A big chunk of the officials' letter detailed Anastasia’s alleged abandonment of Religious Life, and how the MOPHAS members were “deeply pained” by her renunciation of Christian faith.

In her September 2 Facebook post, Sr. Anastacia begs for understanding, noting that she has taken steps to stabilize her mental health.

“My parents invited me home and I received psychological attention and I have gotten help in that regard,” she says, and adds, “I sincerely appreciate those who reached out to me out of concern and supported me. May God bless you abundantly.”

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“I hope you understand, and I look forward to moving on through the intercession of Our Blessed Mother Health of the Sick,” she says.

Agnes Aineah is a Kenyan journalist with a background in digital and newspaper reporting. She holds a Master of Arts in Digital Journalism from the Aga Khan University, Graduate School of Media and Communications and a Bachelor's Degree in Linguistics, Media and Communications from Kenya's Moi University. Agnes currently serves as a journalist for ACI Africa.