BOYNTON BEACH (FL)
WPEC - CBS 12 [West Palm Beach FL]
September 8, 2026
By Grace Bellinghausen | Luli Ortiz
The Diocese of Palm Beach says an investigation substantiated allegations of sexual misconduct, abuse of power, and fraud against a Boynton Beach priest.
Bishop Manuel de Jesús Rodríguez announced the findings in a letter Saturday involving the Rev. Alex J. Vargas, who previously served as pastor of St. Thomas More Parish in Boynton Beach.
Click here for the Diocese of Palm Beach statement:
The diocese said it was notified June 17 of “serious allegations” involving Vargas, according to previous reports. The matter was first reported to the Florida Department of Children and Families, law enforcement and the State Attorney’s Office before hiring an outside firm, Renaissance Associates, Ltd., to conduct an independent investigation.
Because there was no credible allegation of sexual abuse of a minor, the findings were presented to the diocese’s Adult Allegation Board for review.
The board determined there was insufficient information to substantiate an allegation of sexual abuse.
However, it found sufficient information to substantiate allegations of: Sexual misconduct; Abuse of power, authority, and/or office; Financial malfeasance; and Violations of the diocese’s Code of Conduct, including provisions involving sexual contact, harassment, conflicts of interest, and administrative responsibilities.
The board also determined Vargas is currently unsuitable for ministry.
Rodríguez said he accepted the findings and recommendations. Vargas will remain removed from ministry, and his ministerial faculties will continue to be withdrawn.
“The removal from ministry is not a legal determination of guilt,” Rodríguez wrote.
See also: Diocese places Boynton Beach priest on administrative leave after ‘serious charges’
He said Vargas remains innocent until proven guilty under civil and canon law and will have the opportunity to participate in a canonical judicial process. The diocese said no additional information will be released until that process concludes.
Attorney Mitchell Garabedian, known for representing survivors of clergy abuse, questioned the church-led review process.
“The agency is not independent. By definition, if they’re being paid by the church, by the Catholic Church, they’re not independent,” Garabedian said. “It reeks of cover-up.
Vargas was placed on administrative leave June 18, one day after the diocese said it received the allegations. His authority to exercise ministry was withdrawn, and he was prohibited from contacting parishioners, employees, volunteers or diocesan organizations without permission.
CBS12 News asked the Diocese of Palm Beach how the outside firm conducted its investigation, whether it made recommendations and how concerns about the church’s internal review process are being addressed.
Boynton Beach Police told CBS12 News no victim or crime has been reported to the department.
The Palm Beach County State Attorney’s Office issued the following statement:
“The State Attorney’s Office will review any case presented to us by law enforcement that has been investigated and determined to be supported by probable cause. Should state or local law enforcement investigate this matter and present charges to our office, we will review their case submission to determine if formal charges are appropriate.”
The findings come weeks after Rodríguez announced sweeping new safeguarding policies for the Palm Beach Diocese.
The policies took effect Aug. 8 on a two-year experimental basis and created new rules governing clergy conduct, abuse allegations, whistleblowers and priest monitoring.
The reforms also established the Adult Allegation Board to review allegations involving adults and vulnerable adults, including sexual misconduct, harassment, abuse of authority, coercion, exploitation and financial wrongdoing.
A separate clergy-monitoring system allows the diocese to impose restrictions on priests facing allegations or other safeguarding concerns. The policy states monitoring itself does not constitute a finding of guilt.
The new rules also require clergy and employees to report suspected abuse, serious misconduct and financial wrongdoing while protecting people who make good-faith reports from retaliation.
Rodríguez announced Saturday that the Very Rev. Antony Pulikal has been appointed parish administrator of St. Thomas More Parish, with full pastoral and financial authority.
Members of the Diocesan Healing Intervention Team were available after Masses at St. Thomas More Saturday and Sunday to support parishioners and answer questions.