By Janis Fontaine
The Diocese of Palm Beach has officially removed the Rev. Alex J. Vargas from his duties at St. Thomas More Catholic Church near Boynton Beach following a review of his case by a diocesan board.
In May, the diocese reported that “serious allegations” of a sexual nature had been made against Vargas and he was placed on administrative leave until an independent investigation could be conducted and reviewed.
In a letter dated Sept. 5, Bishop Manuel de Jesus Rodríguez wrote that the findings from a professional investigation by Renaissance Associates concluded there was “insufficient information to substantiate the allegation of sexual abuse,” but that there was “sufficient information to substantiate the following allegations: Sexual misconduct; abuse of power, authority, and/or office; financial malfeasance; and violations of the code of conduct.”
The bishop appointed the Very Rev. Antony Pulikal as parochial administrator at St. Thomas More in June and announced the diocese was preparing “major reforms” to safeguard young people and vulnerable individuals. Changes were then introduced in August to the existing diocesan policies governing sexual behavior, including clergy conduct, reporting misconduct and the monitoring of priests.
The new code also made changes addressing digital interactions, including that all electronic communications with minors must be transparent and professional. The law also addresses reporting misconduct, and says clergy are required to report both their own misconduct as well as misconduct by others.
The new rules are being implemented on an experimental basis for two years, with similar codes of conduct applying to diocesan employees and volunteers.
As a result of the findings regarding Vargas, Rodriguez wrote that he “is deemed unsuitable for ministry.” But the bishop also stressed that Vargas’s removal is not a legal determination of guilt.
Vargas, 55, who had served St. Thomas More parish as an administrator and a vicar for over 15 years, will now participate in a canonical judicial process, which will make a final ruling under canon law on the charges.
No criminal or civil charges had been filed as of late September.
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