Father Craig Harrison has been placed on administrative leave by the Catholic Diocese of Fresno as allegations against him are investigated.

Harrison declined to comment early Thursday morning, but later posted the following on Facebook:

“I just learned that I am on temporary administrative leave of my duties at St. Francis Parish, pending an investigation into allegations brought against me.

I am heartbroken that I will not be able to fulfill the mission that God has given me. My entire priesthood has been devoted to service to God and His people. I have been honored to serve the people of the Central Valley for the past 31 years.

I am also saddened that in today’s climate of fear, I have not been given any information to allow me to defend my honor and service to Christ. I do not know the motives of my accusers, any names, or the contents of any allegations against me.

I will vigorously defend my honor from these allegations and look forward to my good name being cleared. Please keep me in your prayers during this trying time.

Yours in Christ,

Monsignor Craig Harrison”

Defense attorney Kyle J. Humphrey confirmed in a phone call he represents Harrison.

“At this time we are trying to determine the nature of these allegations and trying to get the church to provide us with any information at all because we have none,” Humphrey said.

Late Thursday afternoon, Humphrey shared a copy of a letter he sent to the diocese requesting the complaint, identity of the complainant, allegations and “any other pertinent information to allow me to clear my client’s name by conducting an open and honest investigation.”

“There is already an outpouring of support for Monsignor that you are unlikely to see again in your lifetime,” Humphrey wrote. “There is not one person of sound mind who has spent any time at all with Monsignor who is not rocked by the unfairness of this process.”

The diocese issued this statement Thursday morning: