“I Was Dismissed for Refusing to Be a Temple Prostitute” — Ex-Catholic Sister Speaks Out

A former Catholic sister, Annastasia Kinse, has alleged that she was dismissed from her religious congregation after rejecting sexual advances and reporting harassment at Veritas University, Abuja.

Kinse, who hails from Plateau State, said she joined the Congregation of Mother of Perpetual Help of the Archangels Sisters in Auchi Diocese, Edo State, in 2015 and served for 10 years before her dismissal in 2025. She was also a Graduate Assistant at Veritas University while pursuing her master’s degree.

According to her, trouble began when she reported a case of sexual harassment involving her head of department at the university. Despite submitting what she described as evidence, including voice recordings and videos, she claimed the university and the Church authorities turned against her instead of investigating the matter.

“I reported the case privately and asked that my identity be protected, but soon after, I was asked to drop the anonymity clause and face a panel,” she said. “The panel felt more like an interrogation. I was treated as the accused rather than the complainant.”

Kinse alleged that the harassment case was not properly investigated, and that the university and Church leaders were more concerned about protecting the institution’s image. She said she later faced intimidation, including unannounced visits from priests and staff.

Her dismissal from the convent was announced through a public letter circulated on social media in July 2025, which accused her of apostasy and identifying as a Muslim. She denied the allegation, saying a Facebook post she made about Islam was written out of frustration.

“I wrote that post in a moment of despair. It was not a conversion. I felt abandoned by the Church I had served faithfully,” she explained.

Kinse also recounted that her belongings were thrown out of the convent after a meeting with Church authorities. “Ten years of devotion and sacrifice were dismissed in an instant. I was treated like an outcast,” she said.

She further claimed that some priests made sexual advances toward her during her time in the Church. “One of them told me he wanted to be the first man to sleep with me. When I refused, I was labelled difficult,” she said.

The former nun accused her congregation and Veritas University of attempting to discredit her by contacting her parents and claiming she needed psychiatric help. “They sent money to my family for transport to Abuja, saying I was mentally unstable. I had to undergo psychiatric evaluation to prove I was fine,” she said.

Kinse said she is currently recovering from a motorcycle accident that left her with a spinal injury and has been managing her health without institutional support. Despite her ordeal, she maintains her faith and insists her vows as a religious sister remain valid.

“I still love the Church, but my faith in human institutions has been shaken,” she said. “I refuse to become what they wanted me to be. I would rather hawk chin chin and groundnuts than sell my body.”

She urged the Catholic Church in Nigeria to create transparent systems for handling abuse cases, saying many victims are forced into silence. “Silence only protects abusers. The Church should be a place of light, not cover-ups,” she said.

Kinse added that her experience has strengthened her resolve to advocate for justice. “If my voice can help one woman speak up, then my pain won’t be in vain,” she said.

The Church and Veritas University have yet to issue a formal response to her allegations.