Former New Bedford Priest Indicted for Rape, Indecent Assault

A former New Bedford priest who was later removed from a parish in Seekonk has been indicted by a grand jury on multiple counts of rape as well as indecent assault and battery on a child.

The Cape Cod Times is reporting that Rev. Mark Hession was indicted in Barnstable Superior Court on two counts of rape, one count of indecent assault and battery on a child less than 14 and one count of intimidation of a witness.

Hession served as pastor at two Cape churches from 2000 to 2014, and delivered the homily at the 2009 funeral of Sen. Edward M. Kennedy. He was serving at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Parish in Seekonk in 2018 when he was reassigned to duties in the Diocesan Tribunal, and then later placed on leave in March 2019 after complaints Hession had sent "inappropriate communications" to several adult parishoners. It was also revealed that Hessions had used church money on personal expenses.

Hession is a New Bedford native and a 1976 graduate of Fairhaven High School and was previously assigned to St. Mary's Church in New Bedford.