SEX ABUSE LAWSUIT AGAINST FORMER BRENHAM PRIEST SETTLED

  

The lawyer representing six women who claimed they were sexually abused by a Catholic priest in Austin, who previously served in Brenham, says that their lawsuit has been settled.

Reported by KVUE of Austin, the lawsuit alleged that Father Isidore Ndagizimana, a former associate pastor at St. Mary’s Parish in Brenham, acted inappropriately toward the women on several occasions at St. Thomas More Catholic Church in northwest Austin.

The lawsuit alleged the inappropriate conduct included unwanted touching and sexual advances. The women in the lawsuit said that when they reported it to the diocese, the diocese told them the priest was sent to four months of therapy in Houston and was healed.

The lawsuit also claimed the women were told they should not pursue legal action against Ndagizimana, and that if they trusted the diocese and were patient, the diocese would “provide healing and restitution for the victims”.

One incident described in the lawsuit claimed Father Ndagizimana rubbed a victim’s upper thigh while she confessed, and made her discuss private sexual activity with her husband. That woman was pregnant.

Another incident claimed he isolated a woman in a confessional, stroked and hugged her, and forced her head into his groin area with both of his hands while standing in front of her. The suit also claimed he made unwanted and uninvited visits to their homes while their husbands were away.

Father Ndagizimana served at the Austin church from 2012 to 2017, before he was assigned on July 2, 2018 to St. Mary’s Parish in Brenham. Pastors in this parish also serve churches in Somerville and Washington-on-the-Brazos.  He has remained on leave from the parish since August 21, 2018.

It was previously reported that the women were seeking $1 million in damages. However, the full settlement amount has not been released.