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Bishop da Cunha issues letter after Fall River pastor placed on leave from priestly ministry
FALL RIVER — In a letter from Bishop Edgar M. da Cunha, S.D.V., shared at Masses this weekend (June 22-23), parishioners of St. Michael and St. Joseph Parishes in Fall River were informed that their pastor has been placed on leave from priestly ministry.
Reverend Jay Mello was placed on administrative leave last week by the bishop after the Diocese of Fall River recently received concerning information alleging sexual misconduct by the priest. It is important to note that there are no allegations of inappropriate conduct with minors.
An initial investigation by the Diocese found that there is sufficient evidence to warrant further investigation to determine whether Father Mello has violated the standards of ministerial behavior and the Code of Conduct for Priests. Based on these allegations and the initial findings, Father Mello was placed on administrative leave as this investigation continues. Consistent with Diocesan standards, he is no longer residing at the parish rectory and has been directed to refrain from exercising public priestly ministry.
Father Mello has denied the allegations of priestly misconduct and is entitled to the presumption of innocence until the investigation is complete and a final determination is made.
In his letter to parishioners, Bishop da Cunha acknowledged that this turn of events will be “shocking and unsettling.” The bishop went on to write, “This situation is distressing for all of us. Please know that my prayers are with all the faithful people of St. Michael and St. Joseph Parishes during this challenging time.”
He also assured them that the pastoral and temporal care of their parish communities is of “utmost importance” to him and that arrangements are being made for a priest to temporarily assume the pastoral and administrative responsibilities at both places. The current Mass schedule will remain unchanged.
Father Mello became parochial administrator of St. Michael and St. Joseph Parishes in 2015 and was named pastor of the neighboring churches in 2016.
The Diocese of Fall River encourages anyone with concerns regarding the conduct of any priest, staff, or volunteer affiliated with the Diocese to contact law enforcement and/or Carolyn Shipp, the Diocesan Director of Safe Environment and Victim Assistance at 508-985-6508, by email at cshipp@dioc-fr.org or on their website at https://www.fallriverdiocese.org/safe-environment/report-an-incident-of-abuse/
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Cynthia Rodrigues
June 23, 2024 at 4:20 pm
The allegations are totally ridiculous
Dinwiddie-Herrmann Teresa
June 25, 2024 at 6:16 pm
How would you know this?
John
June 23, 2024 at 4:34 pm
When you dip the stick, the Engine Never Lies.
Ron R
June 23, 2024 at 4:44 pm
I hope it’s not true but that’s exactly what was being said about Gilbert Simoes when he was assigned to St Michaels….back in the 60’s…..and I know along with several others that allegations were true. I’m glad the church is taking it seriously now and not just shipping him off to another parish…..again I hope it’s false information
Robert Kitchen
June 24, 2024 at 6:20 am
Yes. Makes sense.
LuvANurse
June 23, 2024 at 4:55 pm
In all of the Catholic Churches I’ve been to after leaving the Catholic faith -I have to say that Jay Mello has been one of the “only” priests I’ve heard share the love of Christ and give the true gospel message. It’s very obvious that he has a personal relationship with Jesus. Keeping him my my prayers that God’s will WILL be done his life.
Patricia Alfonso
June 23, 2024 at 5:05 pm
He is a wonderful priest and mentor to everyone I stand by and support Father Jay
Malinda Costa
June 23, 2024 at 9:04 pm
As a parent who sends my child there, my main concern for my child and all the children is to protect them. We don’t want them reading this on social media or speaking about it.. kindly ask that you please respect our children’s privacy and try not to speak about it so much. It’s being dealt with. And I keep the children, staff and school in my prayers
Michelle G
June 24, 2024 at 8:39 am
This has nothing to do with him and children. Apparently he’s in a relationship with a grown woman.
“It is important to note that there are no allegations of inappropriate conduct with minors.”
Dinwiddie-Herrmann Teresa
June 25, 2024 at 6:21 pm
Have you seen some of the stories out of Steubenville involving adults? And is it not concerning that a priest with such a following would be having an affair?
Dinwiddie-Herrmann Teresa
June 25, 2024 at 6:20 pm
As a Catholic mom that advocates for better protection of children and justice for survivors, I’d suggest the opposite. Children need to understand bad things happen and they should be alert and aware. Our priest was well loved. Friends of mine were getting ready to go on a mission with him…before he was arrested for 9 counts of rape. Please be prayerful AND careful.
Nelson Araujo
June 23, 2024 at 11:17 pm
Father n priest jay Mello has done so much for the community n diocese. It’s a shame to even come up with any allegations towards him.
Dinwiddie-Herrmann Teresa
June 25, 2024 at 6:23 pm
Please see other cases out of Steubenville,Ohio before dismissing this.
Michelle G
June 24, 2024 at 8:41 am
“It is important to note that there are no allegations of inappropriate conduct with minors.”
Apparently he’s in a relationship with a woman. This is how rumors are spread because some people don’t read before making comments.
Eve
June 25, 2024 at 9:37 am
It is true people do not read before commenting. I stand behind Father Jay 100%, he is a fantastic priest and knows the word of God. This is absolutely ridiculous.
Deborah Raposo
June 24, 2024 at 8:04 pm
I truly think that Father Jay is one of the best priests in the City. He is the reason why I started going back to church. I stand by Father Jay!
Eve
June 25, 2024 at 9:39 am
👍👍👍👍🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼
Johnson’s Johnson
June 27, 2024 at 12:13 pm
Oh he was the reason Deborah returned to church??? Well in that case he should be able to rape and sexually assault whomever he pleases!!
Gary Dunn
June 24, 2024 at 11:13 pm
I will only say this I’ve been born a Catholic but my only problem about this if it was consensual and it is true these priests ought to be married and I’ve said it for years still don’t know why they’re not when everything else in the world has changed
david sardinha
June 25, 2024 at 5:40 am
father jay is a great man hes human so he sees a grown woman hes an adult there both adults leave him and her alone hes done alot for parish and parishioners this is bullshit
Karen Kornosky Kornosky
June 25, 2024 at 11:10 pm
As an adult who was sexually assaulted by a priest, I am horrified by these comments. No one believed me either. My abuser was well loved. Popular. Charismatic. Wrote books on prayer. Fun to be around. Everything thing that everyone wants to see in a priest. I was not believed. I was harassed and called a liar and my very salvation was called into question because I could possibly say such terrible things about a holy man.
After my story came out, more than THIRTY women were also abused/assaulted by him were found. A drop in the water. And the damage to them by people like you.. who believe the abuser over the victim.. that is absolute destruction to their souls.
You don’t know what is going on behind the scenes.
You can’t fathom this victims pain.
Supporting this priest is condemning the victim.
Stop. Just stop.
Johnson’s Johnson
June 27, 2024 at 12:11 pm
Preach. May the Lord bless your soul for being put through such an ordeal. Although one is innocent until proven guilty, I’m disgusted by these comments of blind support here. Comment section full of enablers.
Mary E Viera-Moniz
June 26, 2024 at 8:24 am
Think about this for a second…let Priests marry, as in other religions…there would be a lot less problems with these men. I rarely read these reports from other faiths, it’s always Catholics, which I am also. These priests would not be on the prowl if they had a woman waiting at home for them! Our faith needs a lot of work!!!!