Seekonk Priest on Leave for ‘Inappropriate Communications’

FALL RIVER — The Fall River Diocese has placed one of its priests on leave after complaints from his parishioners.

The diocese announced Sunday that Reverend Mark Hession, the former pastor of Our Lady of Mount Carmel in Seekonk, was placed on leave "because of conduct inconsistent with standards of ministerial behavior and in direct violation of the code of conduct for priests."

The action against Hession was taken after adult parishioners of Mount Carmel complained to the diocese of receiving "inappropriate communications" from Hession.

Now that Hession is on leave, he can no longer present himself as a priest in public.