Sex Abuse Allegations Mount against Conroe Priest

KTRK TV
November 28, 2018

https://abc13.com/timeline-sex-abuse-allegations-mount-against-conroe-priest/4235331/

A possible sex abuse scandal involving a local priest is unfolding.

Prosecutors say six people have come forward, saying that Father Manuel La Rosa Lopez sexually abused children in Conroe in the 1990s to early 2000s.

Charging documents only list one male and one female victim. A search warrant executed Wednesday at the Galveston-Houston Archdiocese names another.

1992

A sixth grade boy accused Manuel La Rose-Lopez of inappropriately touching him.

Oct. 9, 1992

An attorney conducted an investigation into whether the church was required to notify CPS.

Oct. 12, 1992

Bishop Joseph Fiorenza wrote to the attorney saying an additional psychological exam would be conducted before La Rosa-Lopez was re-admitted into seminary.

Spring 1993

La Rosa-Lopez was re-admitted into seminary.

Oct. 1999

An underage male was allegedly sexually abused by Father Manuel.

April 2000

An underage girl was allegedly sexually abused by Father Manuel.

2001

The alleged female victim and her family reported the alleged abuse to the church and moved to Israel.

April 16, 2001 - Jan. 3, 2002

Father Manuel was admitted to the Shalom Recovery Center.

2004

Father Manuel was assigned to St. John Fisher in Richmond.

2010

The female accuser moved back to the area.

She reported her previous abuse again to the church after realizing Father Manuel was still working.

Aug. 10, 2018

The male accuser met with Cardinal DiNardo of the Galveston-Houston Catholic Archdiocese.

Aug. 27-29, 2018

Both accusers filed separate police reports to Conroe PD and an investigation began.

Sept. 11, 2018

Father Manuel turned himself in to police.

Sept. 12, 2018

A search warrant was executed at Father Manuel's Richmond parish.

Sept. 13, 2018

Father Manuel bonded out of jail.

Sept. 17, 2018

Authorities executed a search warrant at Sacred Heart Catholic Church where Father Manuel had been a priest.

Sept. 19, 2018

A search warrant was executed at the Shalom Treatment Center in connection to Father Manuel.

Oct. 4, 2018

A former altar boy claimed Father Manuel also abused him. Father Manuel has not been charged.

Nov. 28, 2018

A search warrant was executed at the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston in connection to Father Manuel.

SNAP alleged there was a fourth victim of Father Manuel. He has not been charged.