Sex abuse: Three Orthodox Syrian Church priests suspended in Kerala
Kottayam/UNI: Three priests of Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church were suspended from the parish ministry following allegations of sexual abuse of women and financial irregularities, church sources said on Thursday.
According to them, Episcopal synod secretary Yuhanon Mar Diascoros has issued an order directing Fr Varghese Markose, Fr Varghese M Varghese and Fr Rony Varghese, all attached to the Kottayam diocese, not to conduct pastoral services for the time being.
A message regarding the suspension would be read out in churches during the next Sunday mass.
The issue would be discussed in the next meeting of the diocesan council.
Among the priests, one is arraigned as accused in a police case in connection with the suicide of a housewife in Kuzhimattom near here.
The other two were facing charges of sexually harassing women, the sources added.
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