KOTTAYAM: Three priests of Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church were banned from the parish ministry following allegations of sexual abuse of women.
According to a senior clergy of the church, Fr Varghese Markose of Kooroppada, Fr Varghese M Varghese of Meenadom and Rony Varghese of Pakkil have been temporarily stripped of their vicar post. Though they won’t be excommunicated at the moment, the church has begun a detailed probe on the complaints. The church is expected to come out with an official press release soon. All the priests who were removed from the posts of vicar belong to Kottayam diocese of the orthodox church. They have been banned from the parish ministry by Synod secretary of the church metropolitan Yuhanon Mar Dioscoros.
Among the three, one of the priests is also facing a police probe as a woman who was allegedly abused by the priest had committed suicide. The woman’s husband had filed a police complaint after her death. Fr Rony Varghese too had faced disciplinary action from the church earlier following complaints including immoral conduct. The church is expected to take further action against the priests following a detailed report from an inquiry commission.
According to a senior clergy of the church, Fr Varghese Markose of Kooroppada, Fr Varghese M Varghese of Meenadom and Rony Varghese of Pakkil have been temporarily stripped of their vicar post. Though they won’t be excommunicated at the moment, the church has begun a detailed probe on the complaints. The church is expected to come out with an official press release soon. All the priests who were removed from the posts of vicar belong to Kottayam diocese of the orthodox church. They have been banned from the parish ministry by Synod secretary of the church metropolitan Yuhanon Mar Dioscoros.
Among the three, one of the priests is also facing a police probe as a woman who was allegedly abused by the priest had committed suicide. The woman’s husband had filed a police complaint after her death. Fr Rony Varghese too had faced disciplinary action from the church earlier following complaints including immoral conduct. The church is expected to take further action against the priests following a detailed report from an inquiry commission.
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