Priest Accused of Sexual Battery Involving 12-year-old Boy, Website Reports

By Kim Chatelain
The Times-Picayune
September 10, 2015

http://www.nola.com/crime/index.ssf/2015/09/priest_accused_of_sexual_batte.html

The Rev. Jose Vazquez (Jones County Sheriff's Office)

A Catholic priest in south Mississippi was arrested Wednesday (Aug. 9), accused of sexual battery involving a 12-year-old boy, according to SunHerald.com. Rev. Jose Vazquez, pastor at St. Francis Xavier in Wiggins and at St. Lucy Mission in Lucedale, confessed to several sex acts with the boy and other incidents in different jurisdictions, the website reported, citing a press release from Jones County Sheriff's Office.

At his initial court appearance Thursday, Vazquez was deemed a flight risk and his bond was set at $100,000, the website reported.

The Catholic Diocese of Biloxi issued a statement, saying it is saddened by the news and regrets "any actions or behavior by clergy or any other personnel who might betray the trust placed in us. Sexual misconduct with a minor on the part of any clergyman is reprehensible and will not be tolerated.

Click here to read the entire SunHerald.com story.