March 21, 2006

Church links priest's resignation to ethics

SEATTLE (WA)
The Seattle Times

By Janet I. Tu
Seattle Times staff reporter

The Seattle Archdiocese said it has found that the Rev. Jeffrey Sarkies, a popular pastor at West Seattle's Holy Rosary Church, violated professional ethics policy in the area of sexual misconduct and harassment.

A statement from the archdiocese delivered to parishioners over the weekend clarified slightly the mystery surrounding Sarkies' sudden resignation earlier this month. At the time, the archdiocese said only that Sarkies had engaged in "improper professional behavior."

The statement emphasized that the violation did not involve minors, financial concerns or questions or challenges to church teaching.

Representatives of the archdiocese are to meet with parishioners at 7 tonight regarding Sarkies' departure.

Posted by kshaw at March 21, 2006 07:42 AM