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	Jesuit Priest Accused of Sexual Abuse, Leaves Moses Lake Church The Associated Press, carried in Seattle Post-Intelligencer April 18, 2006 http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/local/6420AP_WA_Priest_Accused.html MOSES LAKE, Wash. -- A Jesuit priest has been accused of sexual abuse and, at the request of his superiors, has withdrawn as pastor of Our Lady of Fatima Catholic Church, parishioners were told on Easter. In a letter dated April 12 and handed to churchgoers Sunday, the Rev. John J. Morse wrote that he learned of the accusations in a call from his religious superior, the Rev. John D. Whitney, the provincial or head of the Oregon Province of the Society of Jesus. "I want you to know that I categorically deny that I have ever abused another person, and certainly not a child. I am deeply saddened by these allegations and pray that I will be exonerated once a full investigation is complete," Morse wrote. "These allegations refer to my days some 35-40 years ago while working in the area around Omak, Wash., though we have not yet received any further details," Morse added. The letter said that at the request of Whitney and Bishop Carlos A. Sevilla of Yakima, he had withdrawn from all public ministry "and will go to live with my Jesuit brothers until these charges can be answered and my name cleared." Morse has served at this central Washington town's Roman Catholic church for at least 10 years. Church and diocese Web sites list two other priests as associate pastors. Church and diocese officials were unable to comment Monday, and the Jesuit order's Oregon Province office was closed Monday in continuation of the Easter holiday.
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