By Daniel Payne

CNA Staff, November 1, 2024 / 5:55 p.m.

A Massachusetts priest who was placed on leave admitted to sexual misconduct before a planned student walkout due to a lack of information regarding his dismissal from a school position.

Students at St. Michael’s School in Fall River, Massachusetts, had staged a protest Friday against the removal of Father Jay Mello months ago as pastor of the school and two churches.

Fall River Bishop Edgar da Cunha said in a June letter to parishioners that Mello was removed from his position after the diocese received an allegation of sexual misconduct regarding the priest. The diocese said at the time that there had been “no allegations of inappropriate conduct toward minors.”

News from the Fall River Herald reported Thursday that students at St. Michael’s were planning a walkout due to lack of information about the case from the diocese. The demonstration should have taken place in front of the diocesan chancellery and da Cunha’s home.

In a letter published Thursdayda Cunha indicated that he “would not normally provide (a) detailed update until the conclusion of the investigation”, but the bishop said he was prompted to publish the letter due to “d “a number of false statements and confusing rumors” based on “the belief that Father Mello was unfairly placed on leave.”

The confusion is now “disrupting the school environment,” he wrote.

“I believe it is necessary to inform your parish and school communities of an important development in the investigation in that Father Mello recently admitted to serious sexual misconduct that began while he was counseling an adult parishioner “, said the bishop.

The priest initially denied the allegations, the prelate noted.

Da Cunha provided no further details about the allegations, although he said the diocesan investigation would continue and likely conclude early next year.

“To those who wish to support Father Mello, I encourage you to continue to pray for him,” the bishop said. He further asked for prayers for victims of abuse “who often feel re-victimized when their claims are not believed.”

The Herald News, meanwhile, reported in an update that walkout organizers would continue the protest as planned.

Mello attended the American Seminary in Rome and was ordained in 2007. He served in parishes in Dartmouth, Falmouth and Mansfield, Massachusetts.

Daniel Payne is an editor at the Catholic News Agency. He previously worked at the College Fix and Just the News. He lives in Virginia with his family.