Bishop Gervas Rozario shakes hands with Fred Witteeven, National Director of World Vision Bangladesh, during a child protection workshop in Dhaka on May 18. (Photo by Stephan Uttom/ucanews.com)
Saving children from abuse is a top priority for the Catholic Church in Bangladesh, a workshop on the vexed issue has been told.
Bishop Gervas Rozario noted that Pope Francis stated that all people involved with the Catholic Church have a duty to help to create a safe environment for minors.
Bishop Rozario added that children must be able to grow-up in loving and caring environments.
The prelate, who is chairman of Catholic Bishops' Justice and Peace Commission, was speaking to participants at the 'Pastoral Orientation on Child Protection' workshop held in the capital, Dhaka, on May 18.
The commission's Child Protection Desk organized the program in collaboration with World Vision Bangladesh, which is a child-focused Christian charity.
The Church signed a formal agreement with World Vision providing for collaboration in the field of child protection and a plan of action is to be phased in this year and next.
Holy Cross Father Liton H. Gomes said the provisions would be mandatory in all church institutions in Bangladesh.
Some 70 participants, from eight Catholic archdioceses and dioceses, attended the workshop.
Cardinal Patrick D’Rozario, the archbishop of Dhaka who attended the Vatican Summit on Child Abuse in February, spoke to workshop participants and there were open discussions and debates.
Dr. Benedict Alo D’Rozario, president of Caritas Asia, noted at the gathering that in the past absence of proper policies, most abuse cases remained in the dark.
"Now, it has become a hot-button issue as many have come forward to speak about abuses and injustices," he added.
"It is everyone's responsibility to ensure protection of children from abuses and a safe environment for them."