Fall River priest placed on leave after 'inappropriate communications'

FALL RIVER, Mass. (WJAR) — A Fall River priest was placed on leave after complaints accused him of sending inappropriate communications to several adult parishioners the Fall River Diocese announced on Sunday.

According to the Diocese, the Bishop of Fall River placed Father Mark R. Hession on leave based on complaints received against the priest.

In a statement, the Diocese said Hession was placed on leave due to “conduct inconsistent with standards of ministerial behavior and in direct violation of the Code of Conduct for priests in the Fall River Diocese.”

During his time on leave, Hession will not be permitted to exercise public ministry nor present himself as a priest in public settings said the Diocese.

Hession was previously in the news after spending at his old church, Our Lady of Mount Carmel, was called into question.