Priests Accused of Sexual Abuse File Lawsuits against Diocese of Corpus Christi

By Tim Acosta
Caller-Times
March 12, 2019

https://www.caller.com/story/news/local/2019/03/12/priests-sue-diocese-corpus-christi-being-named-released-list/3143345002/

Two priests whose names were released by the Diocese of Corpus Christi in a list of priests who had been "credibly accused" of sexual misconduct have filed lawsuits against the diocese and Bishop Michael Mulvey.

Attorneys for Fr. John Feminelli and Msgr. Michael Heras filed lawsuits on behalf of both men Thursday in Nueces County. The men both claim Mulvey and the diocese made "false" statements by including them in the list and claiming they had been credibly accused of sexual abuse of a minor.

"Defendants knew the statement was false and acted with reckless disregard for the truth," both lawsuits state. "The publication of the statement was made with malice."

Both Feminelli and Heras are seeking up to $11 million each in damages, according to the filings. They claim that there "was, and is, no evidence" that they were credibly accused "of the crime of sexual abuse of a minor."

"Defendants' statement was false because Plaintiff was, and is, innocent of the alleged crime of sexual abuse of a minor," each filing states.

The Catholic Diocese of Corpus Christi on Jan. 31 released the names of priests and other clergy who have been "credibly" accused of sexual abuse of minors.

Bishop Michael Mulvey answers questions from the media after Diocese of Corpus Christi released a list of names of priests accused of sexual abuse of minors on Thursday, Jan. 31, 2019. (Photo: Courtney Sacco/Caller-Times)

More than 20 Diocese of Corpus Christi clergy members were "credibly" accused of sexual abuse of minors. The 26 names were released after The Ordinariate of the Chair of St. Peter and the 15 Texas dioceses made the decision to release the names back in October 2018.

Heras was ordained into the Diocese of Corpus Christi in 1984

Msgr. Michael Heras resigned as pastor of St. Peter Prince of the Apostle's Parish in Corpus Christi after allegations of inappropriate conduct. (Photo: Caller-Times file photo)

In June 2014, complaints of inappropriate conduct were submitted to the Nueces and San Patricio County district attorney's offices. Heras was immediately placed on leave pending an investigation by the diocese.

The alleged conduct took place about 25 to 30 years before the complaint was submitted, according to a 2014 Caller-Times article. No criminal investigations were pursued and Heras resigned as pastor of St. Peter Prince of the Apostle's Parish in Corpus Christi.

Nueces County court records show a civil suit was filed October 2018 against Heras, Bishop Michael Mulvey and the diocese. The plantiff in the pending case is listed as "J Doe 2." The diocese said Heras was removed from ministry in June 2014.

Feminelli was ordained into the Diocese of Corpus Christi in 1987.

Rev. John Feminelli was accused of attempting to seduce a young boy in the 1980s. He retired from the diocese in 2007. (Photo: Screenshot)

In 1988, a couple filed a lawsuit against the diocese and Bishop Rene H. Gracida claiming diocese employees circulated false information about their 15-year-old son, according to a 1988 Caller-Times article.

Feminelli was accused of buying the boy gifts in exchange for "wrestling matches" in a motel room. The suit alleged slander and libel stating Gracida and other priests humiliated the family, causing the boy to recant, the article states.

No wrestling matches took place, the boy said in court.

Feminelli retired in 2007, though he has been seen in Facebook photos with Corpus Christi Fire Department members in traditional clergy attire. Feminelli was recently celebrating Mass at Blessed Sacrament Convent. He retired shortly before the diocese released its list to the public.

Anthony Greenwell, the attorney representing both men, said that he made efforts to have Feminelli and Heras' names removed from the list prior to publication because there was no evidence of wrongdoing. The lawsuits, he said, are a result of the diocese and Mulvey's decision to include them.

"The bishop spurned our efforts to prevent this from happening," Greenwell said.

"They should not be on that list," he added.

Greenwell said he was not aware of any other priests included on the list released by the Diocese of Corpus Christi filing lawsuits as a result of their inclusion, but added that it is likely for diocese across the nation.

"I don't think it's something that's going to be unique to Texas," he said.

The Caller-Times has reached out to the Diocese of Corpus Christi for comment.

This is a developing story. Check back to Caller.com for updates.