The Rev. James Melnick has been permanently removed from ministry by Bishop Anthony Taylor of the Catholic Diocese of Little Rock over allegations of sexual misconduct with adults -- behavior the bishop referred to as predatory.
Melnick, who was ordained in the diocese in 2009, had been serving at St. Augustine Catholic Church in Dardanelle and St. Andrew Catholic Church in Danville. As of Monday, Melnick's name had been removed from the diocese website's list of clergy members.
Taylor visited the churches over the weekend, as well as St. John Catholic Church in Russellville where Melnick was associate pastor for the Hispanic ministry, to discuss the priest's suspension with parishioners.
Taylor later posted his comments on the diocese website (dolr.org) and on his Facebook account.
In his comments, Taylor said, "The most difficult thing I ever do as a bishop is come to a parish to inform the parishioners that I have received credible allegations of misconduct against their priest so serious as to require his removal from ministry. Last weekend we received credible allegations of sexual misconduct against Father Melnick and were able to act quickly enough to prevent him from celebrating his last Mass in Danville last Sunday."
Taylor told parishioners that the purported victims -- all adults -- were interviewed.
"Since there were multiple victims, we seem to be dealing with predatory behavior, not romance," he said.
Taylor said those interviewed reported "violations of the sacrament of Reconciliation so serious as to require his permanent removal from ministry: absolution of persons with whom he had previously committed sins against the sixth commandment [adultery] -- and thus incurring grave canonical penalties that can only be lifted by the Holy See."
Diocese spokesman Dennis Lee said the diocese doesn't know whether any criminal laws have been broken by Melnick, but he said "it is clear to Bishop Taylor that Church law has been violated."
Danville Police Chief Rick Padgett said his department has received no complaints or allegations against Melnick.
"We have no active investigation," he said.
The Dardanelle Police Department did not return calls by Monday evening.
In his message to parishioners, Taylor encouraged any other victims to contact the diocese, and he offered assistance to them, such as speaking to a psychologist or counselor.
"I sincerely regret the harm you have suffered and in the name of the Church I apologize to you for what Father Melnick had done," he said, adding that the seriousness of the allegations mean that Melnick will not be allowed to serve as a priest again.
According to a 2009 article in Arkansas Catholic, the diocese's newspaper, Melnick is a native of Cabot. A blog run by Melnick states he is a 2005 graduate of Holy Trinity Seminary in Irving, Texas, and a 2009 graduate of Pontifical North American College in Rome.
While speaking at the churches, Taylor asked for prayers for Melnick and his accusers and urged the congregants to remember their faith.
"Remember, your faith is not in any priest, or for that matter in any bishop or pope. It is in Jesus and in him alone," he said.
Taylor also urged prayers for the Church.
"It is quite understandable that this might get a great deal of negative attention in the media because, after all, this is a very bad situation -- the worst I have ever faced and probably the worst your parish has ever faced too. But please know that I am with you and we will get through this together," he said.
The Rev. Mauricio Carrasco, who has been serving as associate pastor at St. Theresa Catholic Church in Little Rock, was selected to take over as administrator of St. Augustine and St. Andrew and will also serve as associate pastor for Hispanic ministries at St. John. His begins his new assignment Wednesday.
Metro on 09/30/2014