FORMER BRENHAM PRIEST BEING SUED FOR SEXUAL MISCONDUCT
A Catholic priest who served in Brenham this summer is currently involved in a lawsuit claiming sexual abuse and misconduct.
The lawsuit, which was filed in Austin, concerns Father Isidore Ndagizimana during his time in the Austin diocese.
Several anonymous women have claimed he was abusive while serving at St. Thomas More Catholic Church in Austin, from 2012 to 2017. The lawsuit claims the priest’s misconduct occurred in Austin and not in Brenham. The women are seeking more than $1 million in damages.
According to the Austin Diocese, Father Isidore served in Brenham from July 2nd to August 21st at St. Mary’s Parish as an associate pastor. Associate pastors in this parish also serve churches in Somerville and Old Washington-on-the-Brazos. The diocese says he has remained on leave since August 21st.
The law firm representing the affected women said it is unsure of the priest’s current location, and still needs to serve him court documents.
Court documents say he was abusive even when the women were in a confessional. The church is being accused of not addressing concerns and moving the priest to other parishes.
The Diocese of Austin released a statement on November 14th, which can be read below:
On Nov. 14, the Diocese of Austin, Bishop Joe S. Vásquez and Rev. Isidore Ndagizimana were named in a lawsuit filed in Travis County.
The Diocese of Austin was made aware this afternoon that a lawsuit was filed today in which unnamed plaintiffs make allegations against Rev. Isidore Ndagizimana, Bishop Joe S. Vásquez and the Diocese of Austin. The Diocese of Austin is currently reviewing a copy of the lawsuit. Bishop Vásquez is currently attending a meeting of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops in Washington, D.C. and has not had an opportunity to review the lawsuit. However, upon being notified of the lawsuit’s filing, Bishop Vásquez authorized the extension of an invitation to meet with the unnamed plaintiffs. He also extends his prayers for the unnamed plaintiffs.
It is difficult for the diocese to respond to the allegations because of the lack of specificity in the lawsuit. A response at this time would require the diocese to make assumptions about the allegations and the unnamed plaintiffs. Out of respect for all those involved, the diocese will respond to the allegations in its answer to the court after it is formally served with the lawsuit and had a reasonable time to investigate the claims.
Father Isidore Ndagizimana became pastor of St. Thomas More Parish in Austin on July 2, 2012. He resigned that position on Oct. 9, 2017, and was placed on leave. He returned from leave and was then assigned to St. Mary Parish in Brenham on July 2, 2018 as an associate pastor (where the priests also serve the churches in Somerville and Old Washington on the Brazos). He was again placed on leave Aug. 21, 2018, and he remains on leave at this time.
Who write ‘the’ Bible? God, Jesus, or men?
1 Timothy 2:5. For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus.
If you follow the teachings of the Bible, there is no need for confession to a priest. That alone would end so much of this nonsense. The Bible is greater than man-made religious rules.