Students and families gathered outside of Bishop Edgar M. da Cunha’s home on Friday, Nov. 1, to demand answers, despite a letter released by the Diocese of Fall River on Thursday claiming that the Rev. Jay Mello admitted to the sexual misconduct allegations against him.

The letter, provided to The Herald News and dated Oct. 31, stated that Mello initially denied the allegations. The investigation into the information shared with the diocese relieved Mello of his priestly duties since June and has been ongoing for the past four months to determine whether Mello violated standards of ministerial behavior as outlined in the Code of Conduct for Priests.

“I’m back to church because of Father Jay,” said parishioner Natalie, who asked to refrain from using her last name.

“What is a ‘Code of Conduct’? None of us knew. They just assumed he did something wrong,” she said, worried that allegations are the result of personal strife between da Cunha and Mello.

Read more at heraldnews.com.