A priest from the Diocese of Palm Beach has been placed on administrative leave pending an investigation into alleged misconduct.
The Rev. Alex J. Vargas, the pastor of St. Thomas More Catholic Church near Boynton Beach, has been placed on leave and removed from his ministerial faculties, effective immediately, pending the outcome of a formal investigation, said a prepared statement released by the Diocese on June 18.
Effective immediately, the Rev. Antony Pulikal has been appointed administrator of the parish, with full authority over its activities, the Diocese said. Bishop Manuel Rodriguez had appointed him chancellor to the diocese in May, according to public reports.
The diocese removed Vargas from his duties after hearing what it described as serious allegations against him, according to the prepared statement. It did not specify the nature of the allegations but said the matter has been reported to the appropriate civil authorities.
It noted that Vargas “enjoys the presumption of innocence” under both civil and canon law “and is not considered guilty at this time.”
“Father Vargas is prohibited from exercising any ministry and from having contact with any Diocese of Palm Beach parishioners, employees, volunteers, ministries, and affiliated organizations, including those at St. Thomas More, except as authorized by the Diocese,” the statement said.
Bishop Gerald Barbarito, who retired from the post in late 2025, named Vargas pastor at St. Thomas More, on Military Trail near Woolbright Road, in August 2025. He had previously served the parish as an administrator and a vicar. His biography on the church’s website said he was born in 1971 in Honduras.
Anyone with information regarding this matter, or any allegation of abuse by a representative of the church, is urged to contact the Diocese of Palm Beach Reporting Line at (561) 775-9558 or the Florida Department of Children and Families at 1-800-96 ABUSE (962-2873).
Julius Whigham II covers northern Palm Beach County and public safety for The Palm Beach Post. You can reach him at jwhigham@pbpost.com and follow him on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter, at @JuliusWhigham. Help support our work: Subscribe today.
This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Boynton Beach Catholic priest put on leave amid misconduct probe
Reporting by Julius Whigham II, Palm Beach Post / Palm Beach Post
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Julius Whigham II, Palm Beach Post | USA TODAY Network
