Former Cape Pastor Faces Rape, Assault Charges

BARNSTABLE, MA — A former Cape Cod pastor was indicted in Barnstable Superior Court Friday on several counts of rape and assault charges.

Rev. Mark Hession was charged with two counts of rape, one count of indecent assault and battery on a child less than 14 and intimidation of a witness.

Hession served as the pastor for Our Lady of Victory Parish in Centerville from 2000 to 2014. He also previously served as the pastor at St. Joan of Arc Church in Orleans and Our Lady of Mount Carmel in Seekonk.

In March 2019, the Diocese of Fall River placed Hession on leave from "active priestly ministry." The leave was enacted after several parishioners of Our Lady of Mount Carmel complained Hession sent inappropriate communications, the Cape Cod Times reported.

The Diocese in a statement told the newspaper the diocese is cooperating with the Barnstable County District Attorney's office.

"The Diocese of Fall River is committed to ensuring the safety of all children and adults," the statement read.

Hession is expected to be arraigned in Barnstable Superior Court at a later date.