Father Dennis R. Sewar, who most recently served as pastor of St. John the Evangelist Parish in Spencerport, has been placed on administrative leave at his own request. Bishop Matthew H. Clark granted the leave, effective June 28, 2005.
Father Sewar, 54, was ordained in 1983. He requested leave for personal reasons, according to diocesan spokesman Michael Tedesco, who noted that the leave is indefinite.
Father Sewar began as pastor of St. John the Evangelist in 2003. He had been due to return from a six-month sabbatical at the time the leave began. Tedesco said the pastorate opening at St. John the Evangelist has been publicized and that diocesan officials expect to fill it soon.