Church links priest's resignation to ethics

The Seattle Archdiocese said it has found that the Rev. Jeffrey Sarkies, a popular pastor at West Seattle's Holy Rosary Church, violated professional ethics policy in the area of sexual misconduct and harassment.

A statement from the archdiocese delivered to parishioners over the weekend clarified slightly the mystery surrounding Sarkies' sudden resignation earlier this month. At the time, the archdiocese said only that Sarkies had engaged in "improper professional behavior."

The statement emphasized that the violation did not involve minors, financial concerns or questions or challenges to church teaching.

Representatives of the archdiocese are to meet with parishioners at 7 tonight regarding Sarkies' departure.

"Father Sarkies was a well-respected and gifted pastor," the statement said. "Please be assured that Archbishop Brunett would not have accepted his resignation without considering the good of the parish community and of Father Sarkies."

Sarkies may still present himself as a priest and wear the clerical collar but cannot perform the sacraments in public, said archdiocese spokesman Greg Magnoni, who wouldn't say what the exact ethics violation was. Sarkies could not be reached for comment.

Sarkies, a longtime priest in the Seattle Archdiocese, was known beyond his West Seattle parish.

He was also an assistant director of continuing formation of clergy for the archdiocese, and a priest moderator at Prince of Peace Church in Belfair, Mason County, and St. Gabriel Church in Port Orchard.

He also had a column in The Catholic Northwest Progress, the archdiocesan newspaper. The column was discontinued several months ago because there wasn't enough space in the paper, a move that was unrelated to the allegation, Magnoni said.

At Holy Rosary, one of the largest churches in the diocese, some parishioners say they want more answers, while others are ready to move on, said William Jeakle, a 14-year parishioner there.

Jeakle, one of those who wants more answers, said Sarkies is a "prolific writer and thinker" who "really had an ability — more than most priests I've known — to bring a lot of people over to joining the church."

Some parishioners have established a Web site — www.fathersarkies.com — to "positively celebrate the work he's done," Jeakle said. The sudden resignation "is surprising — that something would happen this quickly. Parishioners still have questions."

Janet I. Tu: 206-464-2272