The Catholic church has brought formal charges against Monsignor Craig Harrison, even before completing an investigation into allegations of sexual impropriety with minors, after he refused to drop a defamation lawsuit against the Roman Catholic Diocese of Fresno and two of its officials.
Harrison had been warned in a letter Bishop Joseph Brennan sent Nov. 18 that if he did not drop the suit then canon law proceedings against him would commence within two weeks. The diocese declined to comment but Harrison s legal team confirmed Wednesday the proceedings are underway and that he now faces penalties potentially including excommunication.
Harrison s refusal to drop the lawsuit, one of three defamation suits he has pending in Kern County Superior court, may suggest he is more anxious to clear his name than he is hopeful that a church investigation opened earlier this year will ultimately allow him to return to work as a priest.
Lawyers representing Msgr. Craig Harrison believe he will not be reinstated
The law offices of Kyle J. Humphrey is holding a press briefing regarding Monsignor Craig Harrison defamation lawsuit.
and last updated 2020-12-09 15:47:56-05
BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KERO) â During a press briefing held by the Law Offices of Kyle J. Humphrey, who represent Monsignor Craig Harrison in multiple civil defamation lawsuits, lawyers representing the priest said they do not think Harrison will be reinstated.
Harrison, pastor of St. Francis of Assisi Church, has filed three defamation lawsuits relating to statements made about sexual abuse allegations against him. One of those suits was filed against The Roman Catholic Diocese of Fresno and the Diocese spokeswoman for defamation stemming from statements made against Harrison in a 2019 article in KQED.