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Originally published Thursday, January 29, 2009 at 9:05 AM

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Former Seattle priest accused in sexual misconduct lawsuit

A priest who in 2006 resigned suddenly from West Seattle's Holy Rosary Church is being accused in a lawsuit of inappropriate sexual conduct with an adult parishioner.

Seattle Time staff reporter

A priest who in 2006 resigned suddenly from West Seattle's Holy Rosary Church is being accused in a lawsuit of inappropriate sexual conduct with an adult male parishioner.

The lawsuit, filed last week in King County Superior Court, says the parishioner went to see the Rev. Jeffrey Sarkies as a "spiritual director" beginning in 2004. The plaintiff was then 24 and wanted to enter the priesthood.

In 2005, when the plaintiff was in "personal crisis," Sarkies invited him to his residence and "engaged him in sexual activity under the guise of providing therapy and guidance," the lawsuit says.

The lawsuit also claims the Seattle Roman Catholic Archdiocese was negligent.

Sarkies, who reportedly is living in Arizona, could not be reached for comment.

Sarkies resigned from Holy Rosary, one of the largest churches in the archdiocese, in March 2006, leaving parishioners puzzled about the reason. At the time, the Seattle Archdiocese said that it had found that Sarkies violated professional ethics policy in the area of sexual misconduct and harassment.

Archdiocese spokesman Greg Magnoni said Wednesday that he couldn't say whether this specific incident prompted Sarkies' resignation and he couldn't comment on the allegations since they're under litigation.

Lorena Gonzalez, an attorney for the plaintiff, said Sarkies resigned after the conclusion of an investigation into the incident involving her client.

Janet I. Tu: 206-464-2272 or jtu@seattletimes.com

Copyright © 2009 The Seattle Times Company

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Ok, the guy was 24 when he went for help. Way beyond the age of consent. Is his story pointing towards consensual relations or rape? A 24 year...  Posted on January 30, 2009 at 11:12 AM by starfox7000. Jump to comment
Gentleman is correct. At 24 years of age a man knows what he is getting into and doing. Now every priest must be want to have sex with men since it...  Posted on January 30, 2009 at 8:01 AM by levelheaded. Jump to comment
yeah, riiiiiight ... must be the victim's fault. all the other cases of this cr*p going on in the Church couldn't POSSIBLY provide...  Posted on January 30, 2009 at 9:35 AM by Plug One. Jump to comment

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