2nd Bridgeport Priest Removed For Violation Of Minor Conduct Rule

BRIDGEPORT, CT — A Bridgeport priest has been removed from his duties after he violated the Diocese's Code of Conduct regarding rules on relationships with children.

Father Jose Rebaque served at Saint Peter Parish since 2008 and has been absent for several weeks. It was brought to the attention of the Diocese that he shared a cabin on a cruise ship with a 15-year-old boy in January 2017. The cruise was sponsored by the parish.

There is no allegation of abuse and the parents knew about the cabin sharing beforehand, said Bishop Frank Caggiano. However, Diocese rules were violated.

Former Rev. Frank Gomez resigned from the priesthood in August after violating similar Diocese rules.Gomez had been texting children without parental knowledge or consent. Gomex was a pastor at Saint Charles Parish in Bridgeport.

Rebaque was suspended from priestly ministry on Sept. 25 and ordered to vacate the Saint Peter Parish rectory and temporarily move to the Queen of Clergy Residence in Stamford for retired priests. To sign up for Bridgeport breaking news alerts and more, click here.

"It is important to reiterate that Father José has not been accused of sexual abuse and that both the boy with whom he shared the cabin, and the boy’s parents, have stated that nothing inappropriate took place between them," caggiano said in a statement. "However, because Father José’s decision was so imprudent and disregarded the safeguards that have been put into place to protect children, I have determined that, effective immediately, Father José will no longer serve as Parochial Administrator of Saint Peter Parish, nor have an assignment in the Diocese in the future."

A new parochial administrator will be appointed at Saint Peter Parish, hopefully by early December, Caggiano said.

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