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	Man Says Priest Took Advantage of Him By Claudia Rowe Seattle Post-Intelligencer January 28, 2009 http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/local/397847_priest29.htm A 28-year-old man is suing the Seattle Archdiocese, saying a priest at Holy Rosary Church in West Seattle took sexual advantage of him when he sought therapy and spiritual guidance in 2004. The priest, Jeffrey Sarkies, had a history of inappropriate relationships with parishioners, said Rebecca Roe, the attorney representing the 28-year-old man, David Johns. And for that reason she believes the archdiocese acted negligently by leaving Sarkies at his post. In 2006, when Johns first aired his concerns, Sarkies abruptly resigned. The archdiocese said he had violated professional ethics in the area of sexual misconduct and harassment by engaging in "improper professional behavior." But at the time, officials emphasized that his improprieties involved neither minors nor church finances, and Sarkies, who had served in the Seattle Archdiocese since 1965, was not defrocked. "He basically disqualified himself for employment with the Archdiocese of Seattle as a priest, pastor or counselor," diocesan spokesman Greg Magnoni said. "It was determined that there was a violation of professional ethics." Since then, however, further investigation has led to increased sanctions against the popular priest. Magnoni said he is now restricted in ministry and may no longer wear the clerical collar or serve publicly in any clerical capacity. About the lawsuit itself, the spokesman declined to comment, saying he hadn't seen the paperwork. Sarkies, meanwhile, has moved to Arizona and become a prolific blogger, writing on a site he calls "Notes From Didymus." "Dear Jesus, I'm struggling," he wrote in April 2006, just after being dismissed. "Would you please help me not to focus on my weaknesses or my sins? Will you help me to rejoice in the community called church whose constant proclamation is forgiveness? And will you help me to forgive others even as I have been forgiven?" P-I reporter Claudia Rowe can be reached at 206-448-8320 or claudiarowe@seattlepi.com.
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