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Kannur priest rape case: Diocese comes up with guidelines to safeguard Church's sanctity

The News Minute
March 13, 2017

http://www.thenewsminute.com/article/kannur-priest-rape-case-diocese-comes-guidelines-safeguard-churchs-sanctity-58528


The Mananthavady diocese, which has been facing the wrath of the people after the arrest of the priest Robin Vadakkenchery in the alleged rape of a minor girl in Kannur, has brought out a set of rules and guidelines to safeguard sanctity of the church.

Last week’s Pastoral Council meeting held in Mananthavady has come up with 12 guidelines and also decided to form grievance cells at the parishes.

The meeting also decided to install CCTV cameras in all churches and institutions that come under the Mananthavady diocese. The Times of India reports that church authorities were not ready to reveal the details of the guidelines.

“In the backdrop of the incident, we will undertake serious reforms and will plug all loopholes to ensure that it is not repeated. The discussions are still under way at different levels. We will come up with an action plan and announce it to the public soon,” the PRO of the diocese, Fr Jose Kocharackal, told ToI.

He also said that CCTV cameras will be installed in churches at the earliest.

Earlier, Mananthavady Bishop Jose Porunnedam had apologised the family of the rape survivor and had suspended Robin. While few other Church outfits, like its mouth piece Sunday Shalom, have defended Robin and blamed the victim, Kerala Theological Association (KTA), an organisation of priests, members of religious congregations and laymen have apologised.

The letter written by KTA’s Fr Vincent Kundukulam, says, “We apologise for misleading the public by deviating from spiritual path.” The letter also says that priests in the clergy should have self-introspection following this particular case.

 




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