The priest has been deemed “unsuitable for ministry” for the time being, the diocese said after an inquiry by a diocesan review board.
The Diocese of Palm Beach, Florida, said an internal inquiry substantiated allegations that one of its priests committed sexual misconduct and abuse of power, among other accusations leveled against him.
Diocesan officials learned in June that Father Alex Vargas was the subject of several “serious allegations,” Bishop Manuel de Jesús Rodríguez said in a Sept. 5 letter to the diocese.
The diocese reported the allegations to law enforcement, Bishop Rodríguez said, after which it launched its own independent investigation headed by an investigating agency.
That investigation was ultimately presented to the diocese’s adult allegation board; Bishop Rodríguez noted that there were no credible allegations leveled against Father Vargas regarding the abuse of minors.
The diocesan board determined it credible that Father Vargas had committed sexual misconduct, “financial malfeasance,” abuse of power, and several violations of the diocesan code of conduct.
Father Vargas has been deemed unsuitable for ministry “for the time being,” the bishop said; his ministerial faculties “shall continue to be withdrawn,” he noted.
The priest “remains innocent until proven guilty,” the prelate continued, adding
