Da Cunha revealed the information in a letter dated Oct. 31 released to parishioners and provided to The Herald News.
Mello was placed on administrative leave in June after the diocese began an investigation into allegations of sexual misconduct with an adult. He initially denied the allegations.
The diocese normally does not disclose the status of investigations while they are underway; the bishop took the unusual step of writing the letter a day before parishioners and students at St. Michael’s School planned to protest outside the Diocese of Fall River headquarters, seeking information about the investigation.
“While I would not normally provide this detailed of an update until the conclusion of the investigation, I am prompted to do so because there have been a number of false claims and rumors causing confusion based on the belief that Fr. Mello has been unfairly placed on leave,” the bishop wrote. “This confusion is now disrupting the school environment.”
Da Cunha noted that in the course of the investigation, Mello admitted to “serious sexual misconduct which began while counseling an adult parishioner.”
He wrote that the role of a Catholic priest involves a great deal of trust between clergy and parishioners.
“When priests betray that trust, as in this case, the harm comes not only to the immediate victims, but extends to the relationship and bonds of trust between clergy and all parishioners.”
The Mello investigation is continuing. Da Cunha said it would likely conclude “early next year.”
Mello has not yet responded to a request for comment.
Da Cunha said those who want to express support for Mello should "continue praying for him."
"I ask that you also pray for all the victims of clergy abuse and misconduct who often feel revictimized when their claims are not believed," he wrote.
Demonstration outside diocese offices is still on
A group of parishioners from St. Michael's and St. Joseph's churches in Fall River, along with parents and students from St. Michael's School, announced Wednesday that students would walk out of school early to take part in a demonstration outside da Cunha's residence and the chancery offices on Highland Avenue.
A spokesperson for the organizers said Thursday afternoon that they were aware of da Cunha's letter, and that the walkout and "peaceful expression will still be taking place tomorrow at the same time and place."
Who is 'Father Jay' Mello?
Mello was the pastor of St. Michael’s and St. Joseph’s churches and of the pre-K to Grade 8 school on Essex Street. When placed on administrative leave, he was replaced and barred from engaging in priestly duties pending the investigation's outcome.
Born and raised in Fall River, Mello is a graduate of Diman Regional Vocational Technical High School, where he later served as a member of the regional school committee.
He was ordained a priest in July 2007 at the Cathedral of St. Mary of the Assumption in Fall River. He was assigned to St. Julie's Parish in Dartmouth and was chaplain at Bishop Stang High School. In 2010, he was reassigned to St. Patrick's Parish in Falmouth and in 2012 he was reassigned to St. Mary's Parish in Mansfield. He was reassigned to St. Michael Parish shortly afterward, and in 2019 became the police department’s chaplain.
Mello is no longer living at the St. Michael’s rectory, is no longer the police chaplain, and resigned his position on the Diman School Committee.
What are the allegations against the Rev. Mello?
The diocese has released few details of the accusation. In June, Da Cunha wrote in a letter to parishioners, parents of students at the school and local clergy, “It is important to note that there are no allegations of inappropriate conduct with minors.”
Days after the investigation was made public, attorney Mitchell Garabedian, who has represented multiple victims of clergy sexual abuse, claimed that in 2013 Mello sexually abused a 28-year-old man — a different person than the focus of the diocese’s current investigation.
Garabedian said his client’s incident occurred in the rectory at St. Francis Xavier Church in Acushnet.
“There was no consent in this sexual relationship," he said. “It was a violent incident … and my client fled.”
Garabedian said that incident was never properly investigated by the diocese. Ten years later, he said, his client again met with a church investigator, claiming that he knew of two other people who Mello had also had inappropriate contact with.