KOTTAYAM: The Orthodox Church is learnt to have advised four priests, facing probe in a case of alleged blackmail and sexual abuse of a homemaker, to surrender before an appropriate legal authority at the earliest. Church sources said that the message has been passed on to the now-on-the-lam priests "with a strong directive" that they should not be wearing the cloak while surrendering."If the priests appear in civil dress, it may not be easy to identify them. But their appearance in the religious attire will further embarrass the church,'' sources said.Police have been probing the roles of four priests, Fr Johnson V Mathew, Fr Sony Varghese, Fr Job Mathew, and Fr Jaise K George in the case. The homemaker had in an affidavit to the church named them.All except Fr Johnson Mathew had moved the high court of Kerala for anticipatory bail, which was rejected on Wednesday. The possibility of defrocking - stripping a priest of his ecclesiastical status - the four priests have been ruled out for the time being since the church has no provision for it."Once ordained as priest, he will remain so throughout his life," said M O John, priest trustee of the Orthodox Church. "The only restriction we can bring is to tell the person not to officiate as a priest or conduct any church-related function,'' he said .In such a case, the role of the priest would be the same as that of a laity. P C Elias, public relations officer of the church said the priests have been suspended from performing church duties. He also said that the church has so far never contemplated the issue of defrocking them.Biju Oommen, secretary of the Malankara Orthodox Church Association, said action would be taken against the four priests based on the Canonical rules after an internal church inquiry."Till the probe by the church is completed the priests will be under suspension," he said. He added that the church would act if the priests were found to be guilty under the law of the land. He, however, hinted that the church would take action against the priests soon. "The church's Synod and the managing committee meeting will be held in August. Necessary action will be taken by that time," he said.

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