Features

VALLEJO — A Catholic priest resigned as pastor of St. Vincent Ferrer Parish after being accused of sexual misconduct with a woman. 

The Rev. Edward Lewis’ resignation was announced at all nine of the church’s Sunday services and came at the request of Bishop William Weigand, head of the Catholic Diocese of Sacramento. 

In the statement read to parishioners, Auxiliary Bishop Richard Garcia said the diocese received a complaint Feb. 26 accusing Lewis of sexual misconduct with a woman. The statement also said the complaint does not involve minors. 

Diocesan officials would not release the details of the complaint, saying only that it was contained in a letter they received. 

Lewis, 44, has been placed on leave and will not be allowed to perform any duties as a priest. 

In a statement printed in the church bulletin passed out to parishioners at Mass Sunday, Lewis wrote: “This entire episode has raised for me concerns about my issues that are fundamental to me as a person.” 

This is the first complaint against Lewis, Rev. James Murphy, spokesman for the diocese, told The Sacramento Bee. 

The quick action by Catholic officials in Sacramento comes as dioceses across the country are under intense pressure to explain how they handle allegations of sexual misconduct against priests. 

In Boston, a former priest has been convicted in one case and is waiting additional charges of molesting other boys. 

In Palm Beach, Fla., the bishop who leads the diocese resigned Friday after admitting he inappropriately touched a minor more than 25 years ago. 

In Modesto, a priest faces criminal charges of molesting a teen-age altar boy. 

The Catholic Diocese of Sacramento, which represents more than 500,000 Catholics in 20 counties, is expected to release an updated policy later this month that will outline how it handles allegations of sexual misconduct. 

“This policy has absolutely nothing to do with the mess in Boston,” Rev. David Deibel, the diocese’s vicar episcopal for canonical affairs, told The Bee. He said the policy, put together with the help of local social workers and mental health professionals, will explain how the church will respond in certain situations.