Five priests of the Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church in Kerala have been accused of blackmailing and sexually abusing a married woman, from Thiruvalla in Kottayam district, for years. The issue came to light when the woman’s husband wrote to the Church saying a number of priests had used his wife’s confession, supposed to be kept a secret, to blackmail her. In an audio clip, which has now gone viral on social media, the woman’s husband is heard saying he has been facing pressure from within the church to withdraw the complaint. After the husband’s complaint, the Church has sent five priests accused of blackmailing and sexually abusing the woman on leave. A church spokesman has confirmed that the five priests named in the complaint have been suspended pending an inquiry. Police are yet to file a case.

Five priests of the Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church in Kerala have been accused of blackmailing and sexually abusing a married woman, from Thiruvalla in Kottayam district, for years. The issue came to light when the woman’s husband wrote to the Church saying a number of priests had used his wife’s confession, supposed to be kept a secret, to blackmail her. In an audio clip, which has now gone viral on social media, the woman’s husband is heard saying he has been facing pressure from within the church to withdraw the complaint. After the husband’s complaint, the Church has sent five priests accused of blackmailing and sexually abusing the woman on leave. A church spokesman has confirmed that the five priests named in the complaint have been suspended pending an inquiry. Police are yet to file a case.