Nigerian Sisters’ Order Distances Itself from “former” Member Who “embraced Islamic Religion” amid Viral Abuse Claims

Annastancia, the leadership of the Congregation says, “discarded her religious habit, and declared her conversion to Islam via her Facebook page.”

In one of the widely circulated posts allegedly made by “former” Sr. Annastasia, she says, “After deep reflection, and prayer, I have embraced Islam…Call me Salamatu.”

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

In the letter by MOPHAS leadership, it is noted that all efforts to reach out to Sr. Annastasia after she announced her conversion to Islam were met with rejection.

“The concern of the Sisters on the general WhatsApp group of the Congregation, as to whether her Facebook account was hacked was clarified in her words: ‘let me save you all the stress, my account is not hacked,” the Congregation’s leaders say.

They continue, “Out of love and care, Sisters, Priests, and even the Bishop called her in an attempt to dialogue with her, but she deliberately refused every effort, including the order given to her to return to the Congregation which she treated with contemptuous disregard.”

MOPHAS officials say that their “former” member’s “persistent rejection of fraternal correction” left the Congregation “with no other choice” but to formally dismiss her by a dismissal letter dated 21 July 2025.

“We therefore affirm that her current statements and publications are entirely personal to her (Miss. Kinse) and have no connection with our Congregation,” the officials say, adding that their former member’s allegations that Priests are sexually abusing Religious Sisters “do not reflect our charism, spirituality, or mission.”

“Nevertheless, like a mother who disciplines her child yet never ceases to love, we remain open to assisting her in any way we can in her future endeavours, even outside the context of Religious Life,” the leaders of MOPHAS say.

In her Facebook post of August 24, Annastasia 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.”

Annastasia 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.

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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 response to Annastasia’s allegations, the leaders of MOPHAS say in their August 29 letter that Consecrated Life and the Priesthood “remain sacred gifts to the Church and society.”

“Every day, countless Priests and (women and men) Religious serve faithfully in pastoral care, education, healthcare, and social outreach. These sacrifices should not be overshadowed by the failings of an individual,” they say.

MOPHAS officials add, “As the Gospel reminds us, even among the Twelve Apostles there was a Judas, yet the witness of the others remained valid.”

“The Congregation, (Mother of Perpetual Help of the Archangels Sisters) therefore, completely disassociates herself from the statements of former Sr. Kinse Shako Anastasia,” they say, and add, “While praying for her wellbeing, we remain steadfast in our mission for Christ to God's people.”