Diocese of Phoenix: Priest accused of sending inappropriate images to minor

MESA, Ariz. - The Roman Catholic Diocese of Phoenix says a priest has been removed from the ministry following allegations that he used a social media app to send inappropriate images to a minor.

Father Timothy Seavey is accused of sending "inappropriate images of sexual nature" to an individual who identified as an adult in the app but was later determined to be a minor.

The diocese says it is cooperating with the Mesa Police Department.

Seavey had served as Queen of Peace Parish since 2017 and as chaplain at Seton Catholic Preparatory since 2018.

Officials with Seton Catholic Prep say they cannot comment on the active investigation.

"The responsibility of adults not to prey on minors, and for someone within a religious community that claims some kind of moral authority to place themselves in that field where he is exploiting a minor is wrong," said Tim Lennon with The Survivors Network Of Those Abused By Priests.

No charges have been filed against Seavey at this time, and police say there are no other known investigations involving him.

Lennon believes the diocese must be transparent with the community.

“This priest has only been a priest for less than three years. It speaks to the continued necessity of vigilance by parents, and the church needs to be fully disclosing on his previous assignments," said Lennon.

For information about support services for those who have been abused, please contact the Office of Child and Youth Protection at (602) 354-2396 or dphx.org/youth-protection.