Two of the clergy listed by the Corpus Christi Diocese for allegedly committing serious crimes have filed lawsuits against the Bishop and the Diocese.
Back in January, the Diocese of Corpus Christi released the names of local clergy who were accused of abuse.
Diocese of Corpus Christi releases names of local clergy accused of abuse
The lawsuits were filed by two priests identified in court documents as Father John Feminelli and Monsignor Michael Heras.
That list identified 26 clerics who the diocese said had been credibly accused of sexually abusing a minor within the diocese.
The lawsuit alleges that the Feminelli and Heras were the victims of defamation because of the release of their names.
They are each asking for up to 11 million dollars in damages.
Femenilli is retired. Heras was removed from ministry in 2014.
