By Verghese V Joseph –
Sr. Concilia Baxla, a member of the Missionaries of Charity (Mother Teresa Sisters), has been released on bail by the Jharkhand High Court on Friday. Sr. Concelia Baxla, was arrested 8 months ago on alleged charges of child trafficking from Nirmal Hriday Convent in Jharkhand.
Sister Concilia along with an employee of the Convent Ms. Anima Indwar was arrested on 5 July 2018 in Jharkhand capital city Ranchi on an alleged case of child trafficking. Ms. Indwar is out on bail but Sr. Baxla is still languishing in jail.
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Bishop Theodore Mascarenhas, Auxiliary Bishop of Ranchi, in a statement thanked the Lord for his goodness. He also thanked the lawyers and others who struggled in the case over the last 15 months.
In February this year, Bishop Theodore returned from an emotional heart-breaking visit to jail. He paid a long overdue visit to Sister Concilia Baxla. Nirmal Hriday (Immaculate Heart) is one of the 18 houses of mercy run by the Mother Teresa Sisters in the State of Jharkhand.
Sister Concelia Baxla belongs to a religious order where sisters not only are not allowed to possess any money or belongings, but on their transfer carry just a bucket and a saree besides the one they wear. The nuns are allowed to visit their homes once in 10 years for three weeks, and can go home for a week if either of their parents die.
But what they do possess is a rich community life which sustains them, the daily Eucharist which strengthens them and the comfort of serving the poor and the marginalized which motivates them. Sister Concilia is deprived of all three because of the repeated denial of bail. This is what pains me most.
While in custody, Sr. Concilia lived the words of Psalm 9:9: “The LORD is a refuge for the oppressed, a stronghold in times of trouble.” I pray that my faith in God and love and dedication to the Church maybe as great as hers.