For ten years, Annastasia Kinse served God as a reverend sister under the Congregation of Mother of Perpetual Help of the Archangels Sisters. But after a decade of devotion, her world came crashing down. In this exclusive interview with The Bureau News, she recounts the pain, dismissal, and trauma that followed her decision to speak up against harassment.

“I Joined to Serve God”

Kinse, a native of Plateau State, joined the convent in July 2015 and made her perpetual vows in 2023, becoming the first reverend sister from her village. Before her dismissal, she served as a graduate assistant at Veritas University, Abuja, while pursuing a master’s degree.

“Religious life was my calling — a complete surrender to God,” she said. “I wanted to serve in sincerity and truth.”

The Dismissal and the Letter That Shattered Her

Her life took a drastic turn in mid-2025 when her congregation announced her dismissal publicly on Facebook and WhatsApp. A letter, dated July 21 but received by her on September 24, accused her of acting against her vows and identifying as a Muslim — claims she described as “completely false.”

“What truly happened,” she said, “was that I reported a case of sexual harassment at Veritas University. My report didn’t sit well with some people in authority. Instead of protection, I got punished.”

“I Reported Sexual Harassment”

According to Kinse, the alleged harassment came from her head of department. She said she had voice recordings and videos as evidence. “I didn’t want to destroy anyone. I only wanted justice and to prevent him from doing it to others,” she explained.

Her confidential report soon became public. A disciplinary panel was convened — one she described as “intimidating and hostile.”

“They seized my phone, asked demeaning questions like, ‘Why did you go to his office if you knew he would harass you?’ It felt like I was the one on trial,” she recalled.

She said that despite requesting counselling and mental-health support, none was provided. “After that hearing, priests and other staff showed up at my house with a nurse. I felt trapped and scared,” she said.

Faith, Fear, and the “Conversion” Post

When asked about her viral Facebook post claiming she had converted to Islam, Kinse clarified it was an emotional outburst born out of despair. “It wasn’t a real conversion,” she explained. “I was angry and broken. My aunt, who died a Muslim, came to mind. It was grief and frustration — not apostasy.”

“They Sent a Priest Who Once Harassed Me”

She claimed that instead of compassion, her congregation sent a priest who had previously made advances toward her to “counsel” her. “He twisted the story and told lies against me,” she said. “That broke me completely.”

She added that she made repeated efforts to contact her bishop through messages and letters, which were later denied. “I gave ten years of my life to God’s service. But I was treated like I never existed,” she lamented.

“They Threw My Belongings Outside”

Recounting her last day in the convent, Kinse said her belongings were dumped outside without explanation. “I got back and saw all my things scattered. My religious habit had been taken away. I took a picture because I couldn’t believe it. That night, I made a Facebook post to tell the world my truth.”

“Ten years of devotion and obedience — gone in one night. I was humiliated, betrayed, and discarded by the very Church I loved.”

Despite her ordeal, Kinse says she hasn’t lost faith in God, only in the systems that failed her. “I still pray every day. But I’m healing slowly,” she said.