Church issues guidelines to check sexual abuse

A body of catholic bishops in Kerala has come out with guidelines to protect minors and vulnerable adults in church-run institutions from any form of sexual exploitation or abuse and proposing action against anyone committing such offences.

In a 16-page document for priests and other church officials, the Kerala Catholic Bishops' Council emphasised that there should be zero tolerance towards sexual assault or harassment, asserting that such incidents occurring in its institutions should be reported to the church as well as the civil authorities.

The document titled "KCBC Guidelines for Safe Environment Programme for Church Personnel connected with institutions where minors or vulnerable adults are given particular care" was issued in June 2018, but has come into public domain only now.

Kerala was rocked by the rape charges levelled by a nun against bishop Franco Mulakkal of Jalandhar diocese last year leading to his arrest in September.

The nun had accused the 54-year old clergyman of