The Church has taken a consistent stance in the alleged sex scandal involving a few of its priests, said the supreme head of the Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church. Addressing the Church managing committee, the highest executive body of the Church that met in Kottayam on August 9, Catholicos and Malankara Metropolitan Baselios Mar Thoma Paulose II, said the Church had always maintained that those who were found guilty in the case should face the consequences, but the innocent shall not be punished.

He also came down on those who took the opportunity to insult the entire priestly class and denigrate sacraments such as confession. He said those who took such positions had not done it with the right intention.

The Catholicos said the Church was engaged in an effort to bring peace in the Malankara Church even as it strove to maintain its identity as an ancient Indian Church.