But in a startling development the police have revealed they intend to grill both priests. 

Police on the Algarve believe Kate, 39, accidentally killed her daughter and then disposed of her body with the help of her husband.

They are certain that the couple would have confessed in order to absolve themselves of the sin. However Catholic priests are bound by an oath meaning they can never reveal what is said in the confessional box.

It had been reported that Father Pacheco’s relationship with the couple had cooled in recent weeks but on Monday night he insisted that the McCanns enjoyed his unswerving support. He said: “I could never stop supporting a family living a tragedy�?

Yesterday, however, Father Pacheco appeared to have gone to ground and no one in Praia da luz �?including police who want to question him �?knew his whereabouts.

While the McCanns are devout Catholics they also formed a special bond with the Canadian born Anglican priest Father Hubbard, who like them has a young family.

The couple’s two-year-old twins Sean and Amelie would often spend time at the Hubbard’s villa playing with his two children. He described the allegations against the McCanns as absurd and said the police would be better off looking for Madeleine.

He said: �?SPAN>The police have to find Madeleine. We don’t know if she is in fact dead. They won’t find anything here.�?/FONT>

Last night his wife Susan Hubbard, said the police had not contacted them about fresh questioning but insisted they had nothing to hide.

Speaking at her home near the beach in Praia da Luz, she said: “He hasn’t spoken to the police as far as I am aware but he would be happy to speak to them.�?/FONT>

When asked about the possibility that Father Haynes could be quizzed by police, she said: “Do you have a choice, I don’t know?�?

The church of Our Lady of Luz in the centre of the resort has become an area of increasing interest for the  police.

Last week they announced plans to dig up the roads and land around the church after claims that Madeleine’s body could have been buried there at some point.

But Mrs Hubbard said the idea was simply “absurd.�?“It is such a public place,�?she said.

Father Haynes added: “They won’t find anything. There is no indication the little girl is dead. She’s waiting to be brought home to mum and dad.�?nbsp;