Fall River priest removed from ministry after ‘credible’ sexual misconduct allegations

A Fall River Catholic priest accused of sexual misconduct has been removed from priestly duties, the Roman Catholic Diocese of Fall River announced, a year after the allegations first came to light.

Father Jay Mello was first removed from his duties and placed on leave in June of 2024. He had been a pastor at the neighboring St. Michael and St. Joseph churches in Fall River since 2016. The diocese announced the end of its investigation into Mello Tuesday.

Bishop Edgar M. da Cunha completed his own independent review, according to the diocese, and took into consideration recommendations from the Ministerial Review Board of the Diocese of Fall River. The board primarily comprises “lay people,” the diocese said, which evaluated evidence related to the allegations.

The allegations against him do not involve minors, according to the diocese.

Cunha “determined that some, though not all, of the allegations were credible, including credible allegations that Father Mello abused his position of power as a priest and engaged in sexual misconduct with two parishioners he was counseling,” the diocese said in a statement.

Mello won’t be returning to St. Michael and St. Joseph Parishes, and “he currently remains restricted from priestly ministry,” the release said.

The priest was an active member of the Fall River community, serving on the School Committee for the Greater Fall River Regional Vocational School District last year. He is no longer on the committee, according to the district. He also served as chaplain of the Fall River Police Department.

“This investigation has been difficult for many in our Diocesan community and especially for those who have been harmed by clergy abuse and misconduct,” da Cunha said in a statement. “My prayer is that the conclusion of the investigation can bring some closure and healing to the St. Michael’s and St. Joseph’s Parishes.”

What are the allegations?

Mitchell Garabedian, who represents a client with claims against Mello, said the man was sexually abused “in a violent fashion” by Mello around 2011 when the priest was drinking alcohol. The lawyer characterized the incident as an attack.

The man, who was interested in becoming a priest, then reported the sexual violence to Bishop George Coleman, who was Fall River’s bishop from 2003 to 2014, Garabedian said.

“We’re not surprised,” Garabedian said about the decision to remove Mello from service, “but why did it take the diocese so long to make the decision?”

When Mello was placed on leave last year, he denied the allegations, according to the diocese. A few month later, da Cunha announced publicly that Mello had admitted “serious sexual misconduct which began while counseling an adult parishioner,” the The Herald News reported in October.

‘The Catholic church cannot self-police’

Garabedian, a well-known lawyer for clergy and sexual abuse victims, said his client isn’t pursuing any charges due to the statute of limitations. 

“I’m not surprised to hear that there are other allegations because sexual predators do not molest just one person,” he said in an interview with Boston.com. “They molest their entire lives when they’re able.”

Anyone who has been abused or assaulted by clergy should call the police, Garabedian said, after his client waited more than a decade to see a result from speaking with church leadership.

“It’s obvious that the diocese and the Catholic church cannot self-police properly. They do practice a cover up, and the cover up continues,” Garabedian said. “They cannot fairly investigate a claim of sexual abuse. They’re incapable because of self interest.”

Molly Farrar

Molly Farrar is a general assignment reporter for Boston.com, focusing on education, politics, crime, and more.

Want to leave a comment?

Create an Account Or sign in to your account

To comment, please create a screen name in your profile

To comment, please verify your email address

Conversation

This discussion has ended. Please join elsewhere on Boston.com