ARKANSAS
KFSM
SEPTEMBER 30, 2014, BY CURT LANNING
YELL COUNTY (KFSM) – A Yell County priest has been removed from his ministry in multiple churches after he was accused of sexual misconduct, according to a news release from Bishop Anthony Taylor of Little Rock.
On Sept. 21, Rev. James Melnick was relieved of his responsibilities as the pastor of St. Augustine Church in Dardanelle, St. Andrew Church in Danville and associate pastor for Hispanic ministry in St. John Church in Russellville. He was also suspended from all active ministry, the release states.
In the release, Taylor said that the Diocese of Little Rock received “credible allegations of sexual misconduct against Father Melnick” on Sept. 20.
Officials of the diocese interviewed some of Melnick’s alleged victims and verified multiple acts of sexual misconduct with multiple adult victims during a period of less than a year, according to the release.
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