The Diocese of Palm Beach reported to law-enforcement agencies including the State Attorney’s Office and the state Department of Children and Families the allegations of misconduct it received against a priest at St. Thomas Moore Catholic Church in Boynton Beach.
Authorities in the five-county diocese have not specify the nature of the allegations against the Rev. Alex Vargas beyond saying it had reported them to “the appropriate civil authorities.”
Both agencies investigate alleged criminal offenses. Part of DCF’s mission is to investigate allegations of abuse against the vulnerable, such as children and older people.
The diocese also has retained Renaissance Associates, a private investigative firm with multiple offices nationwide, to conduct an independent review.
Vargas was placed on leave on June 18, pending the outcome of investigation into “serious allegations” of misconduct, the diocese said in a prepared statement. It noted that Vargas “enjoys the presumption of innocence” under both civil and canon law “and is not considered guilty at this time.”
A spokesperson for the Diocese of Palm Beach on June 23 confirmed the allegations against Vargas were reported on June 18 to Florida’s Department of Children and Families by Lisa Linnell, the diocese’s Victim Assistance Coordinator.
Bishop Gerald Barbarito, who retired in late 2025, named Vargas pastor at St. Thomas More 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.
The news of Vargas’ removal has prompted reactions on social media including shock, confusion and outrage.
“This is my church, and he is the pastor,” a parishioner wrote on Facebook. “They need to tell us what’s going on! Everybody is thinking the same thing.”
“More than pray for him, he needs to be investigated,” another user wrote in Spanish. “With those attitudes so many things get covered up by the church. The truth heals and helps the church improve.”
Several parishioners at St. Thomas More took to social media to defend Vargas and called on people to wait until the investigation is over before judging him.
“If you guys know him like we do at St Thomas, you wouldn’t be so quick to condemn him,” a user wrote on Facebook. “If he’s found guilty of SERIOUS misconduct, then condemn him all you want. But for now, please wait for the results of the investigation.”
Anyone with information regarding Vargas, 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).
Valentina Palm covers immigration and West Palm Beach for The Palm Beach Post. Email her at vpalm@pbpost.com and follow her on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter, at @ValenPalmB.
This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: DCF told of allegations against Boynton Catholic priest, diocese says
Reporting by Valentina Palm, Palm Beach Post / Palm Beach Post
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Valentina Palm, Palm Beach Post | USA TODAY Network
