Catholic Priest at Cmu on Leave for "Boundary Violations," Says Saginaw Diocese

By Jessica Shepherd
MLive
July 6, 2015

http://www.mlive.com/news/saginaw/index.ssf/2015/07/mount_pleasant_priest_suspende.html

The Rev. Denis Heames in 2005

A priest in the Catholic Diocese of Saginaw is on administrative leave because of what the diocese called "boundary violations."

The Rev. Denis Heames, who serves as parochial administrator for St. Mary University Parish in Mount Pleasant, was placed on leave last week, according to a statement released by the diocese Monday, July 6.

The diocese said the alleged incident or incidents that led to Heames' leave did not involve minors and are not criminal in nature. The diocese declined to provide additional information.

Erin Looby, a spokeswoman for the Catholic Diocese of Saginaw, said the diocese would report any indication of illegal activity to law enforcement.

According to the statement released by the diocese, Bishop Joseph Cistone spoke with parishioners Sunday, July 5, at the Mount Pleasant church.

The Most Rev. Joseph Cistone

The parish Facebook page refers to St. Mary University Parish as "a student-oriented Catholic church located on Central Michigan University's campus."

"Last weekend, it was brought to my attention that Father Heames has been involved in boundary violations related to his priestly conduct, serious enough to require appropriate assessment and treatment," Cistone told those parishioners, according to the statement.

The diocese could not address Heames' professional future, the statement said. Ordained in 2008, Heames was installed at St. Mary University Parish in 2012.

"Even as priests, we still deal with weaknesses and sin as any other person," Cistone said, according to the statement. "It greatly distresses me to know that any person entrusted to our care has been harmed by a minister of our church. The good news is that meaningful help and the grace of God are available to all of us."

Cistone asked parishioners to pray for Heames, those "who have been harmed in any way by his conduct," the church and for Cistone himself as he deals with the situation.

The parish also asked for prayers via its Facebook page.

jessica_shepherd@mlive.com