The Diocese of Spokane has been divided by the suspension of a popular parish priest after allegations of sexual and financial misconduct.
Bishop Thomas Daly, who has led the diocese in the eastern part of Washington State since 2015 and who is known for his firm adherence to conservativism, announced that Father Miguel Mejía of Our Lady of Fatima parish had been removed from ministry while police investigate claims of sexual misconduct involving several women, as well as misuse of parish funds.
In unusually public briefings, the bishop and his advisers disclosed that independent investigators and a diocesan review board had found what they described as “overwhelming evidence” supporting the allegations.
