Statement Regarding Death of Lenin Vargas

Through reports, the Diocese of Jackson learned on April 3 of the death of Lenin Vargas, a former priest of the diocese, on April 1 in Mexico.

Vargas served as pastor of St. Joseph Starkville, Corpus Christi Macon, and St. Jude Pearl, and associate pastor at St. Francis of Assisi Madison, and St. Patrick and St. Joseph Meridian.

Father Jason Johnston, pastor of St. Joseph Starkville and Corpus Christi Macon, released a message to parishioners upon learning of the death of Vargas. As the pastor of those communities most directly affected by Vargas’s actions, the diocese wishes to share his message with the greater diocesan community.  As a diocese we join our prayers in solidarity with those who are praying for Lenin, his family and for all who have suffered through this  painful experience.  This Jubilee Year assures us that hope in our Lord, crucified and risen, does not disappoint.  Father Jason’s statement follows.

“(Vargas) was removed as pastor from St. Joseph, indicted by federal authorities, and eventually dismissed from the clerical state. I am not bringing these things up in order to trudge up old memories or hurts, or to further tarnish his reputation, especially at the solemn moment of death. But I do so to simply ask for your prayers and to help us understand that we are all in need of them. Prayers, of course, for any and all unhealed wounds of those negatively affected by these events from the past, parishioners and former parishioners here and elsewhere, but also for prayers for the deceased. We have a duty to pray for those who suffer in any way, and to pray for all of the dead, a spiritual work of mercy.

“At this time. I also want to remind you of the dignity of the human person. Every human being is made in the image and likeness of God and is loved by Him. There is no soul who is not loved by God. Also, St. Paul in Romans 3:23: ‘All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.’ A reminder that we are all in need of God’s mercy. We will each find ourselves at the gates of death and then we will be in need of the prayers of the Christian community. We Catholics pray often in the Hail Mary – ‘pray for us sinners now and at the hour of our death. Amen.’ We do this because the hour of death is when we most need Our Lady’s prayers and each other’s. As I ask at the death of anyone, please keep Lenin’s loved ones in your prayers and please pray for the repose of his soul.”
 
The Diocese of Jackson’s Department of Temporal Affairs has engaged Lighthouse Services to provide an anonymous financial fraud, compliance, ethics, and human resources hotline. This hotline allows for an appropriate method to report occurrences related to the temporal administration within parishes, schools and the chancery office. Go to www.lighthouse-services.com/jacksondiocese to file a report or call 888-830-0004 (English) or 800-216-1288 (Spanish).

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