Former Fall River, New Bedford, and Taunton priest found not guilty on rape charges

A Catholic priest, formerly with the Fall River Diocese, was found not guilty on multiple rape charges in Barnstable Superior Court.

According to the Cape Cod Times, Mark Hession was found not guilty Friday on two counts of rape that allegedly occurred between 2005 and 2008.

There was a mistrial on one count of indecent assault and battery on a child less than 14 that allegedly took place in 2002.

Hession’s attorney stated that the prosecution’s case was based on faulty testimony from an uncredible witness.

The Cape Cod Times stated that a 36-year-old man testified that he was sexually abused in 2002 while working on a science class project at the church. 

According to a list of clergy accused of child sexual abuse that was previously issued by the Fall River Diocese, Hession has served at St. Patrick Parish in Wareham, St. Joan of Arc in Orleans, Holy Name in Fall River, St. Mary’s Parish in New Bedford, Charlton Memorial Hospital in Fall River, St. Joseph Church in Taunton, Holy Rosary in Fall River, St. Patrick Church in Falmouth, Our Lady of Victory in Centerville, Our Lady of the Assumption in Osterville, Our Lady of Mt. Carmel in Seekonk and Holy Family in East Taunton.

In March of 2019, parishioners at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Parish and priests of the Fall River Diocese, were informed that Father Hession was placed on leave from active priestly ministry because of conduct inconsistent with standards of ministerial behavior and in direct violation of the Code of Conduct for priests in the Fall River Diocese. Father Hession was formerly assigned to Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church until August 2018, when he was reassigned to duties in the Diocesan Tribunal.

The Diocese of Fall River issued the following statement on the trial of Father Mark Hession:

“The jury in the trial of Father Mark Hession in Barnstable Superior Court has reached a verdict of not guilty on both counts of rape. The jury was not able to reach a verdict on the remaining count, indecent assault and battery on a child under 14, resulting in a mistrial on that count. The Barnstable County District Attorney will now decide whether to re-try the indecent assault charge.

“The Diocese of Fall River acknowledges how distressing this matter has been to many in the Catholic community and also to victims of sexual abuse. Trials like this can be especially difficult for victims of clergy abuse. This distress has also been felt acutely by those to whom Father Hession ministered as a priest in particular to those whom he served as pastor. Our prayers are with all those who are anguished in any way by this troubling matter.

“Father Hession is currently on administrative leave from priestly ministry and will remain so pending the outcome of all legal and canonical (church) proceedings.”

Bishop Edgar M. da Cunha, S.D.V., made the decision at the time to place Father Hession on leave based on complaints he received about inappropriate communications that Father Hession had sent to several adult parishioners.