What is the protocol for a priest to whom a parishioner is attracted?

[Angel_Bradford]

I was wondering if you would tell us if there is a standard protocol that a priest is supposed to follow if he realizes that he is attracted to someone in his congreagation, or someone he works with ? I mean what would the church teach him that he should do ? What would the standard response be if a person, because it could be female, or male told him in confidence that they were attracted to him, and having a problem with it ? Does he continue to shepard someone like that if they are sincere and not bothering him, or does he avoid them like the plague, and tell them to take themselves to another parish?

 

[Fr.Vincent_Serpa]

Dear AB,

Should the person make known his or her attraction to the priest, the priest should kindly refer the person to another priest who can be completely objective to the situation and is therefore in a better position to be of help. If the person is sincere, he or she will leave the priest alone and seek the ministry of the other priest.

Fr. Vincent Serpa, O.P.