The Diocese of Palm Beach, in Florida, removed a priest from ministry after an internal investigation concluded that he had engaged in improper sexual conduct, financial misappropriation, and abuse of power, according to a statement released by the diocese itself.
The priest is Father Alex Vargas, assigned to the parish of St. Thomas More in Boynton Beach. According to the diocese—itself an interested party, as it is both investigator and employer—the diocesan review board deemed the allegations of improper sexual conduct, financial mismanagement, abuse of power, and violation of the diocesan code of conduct to be credible.
The same body stated that it found no credible allegations regarding the abuse of minors, a point the diocese expressly emphasized in its statement.
The investigation was ordered by the Bishop of Palm Beach, Manuel de Jesús Rodríguez, after the diocese referred the allegations to civil authorities in June. There is no record, in the available information, of the opening of a criminal case or the filing of charges by the prosecutor’s office.
Vargas has been deemed unfit for ministry at this time (own translation) and his ministerial faculties have been withdrawn. Rodríguez noted that the priest remains innocent until proven otherwise (own translation) and that he will participate in a judicial process at a future date (own translation), referring to the canonical route. The diocese appointed another priest as parish administrator and deployed its intervention team to accompany the faithful.
The case is part of a series of proceedings opened by U.S. dioceses against clergy for improper conduct with adults and for the handling of complaints, in addition to those involving minors.
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