Manuel LaRosa-Lopez, the local priest who’s already in legal trouble over charges of sexual misconduct, is facing a lawsuit that alleges he exposed himself during confession at a parish in Montgomery County, the Houston Chronicle has reported.
A man filed the lawsuit last week. He is suing LaRosa-Lopez and Conroe’s Sacred Heart Catholic Church for negligence, breach of fiduciary duty and agency.
According to the Chronicle, the victim alleged LaRosa-Lopez began the sexual abuse in the summer of 2000, when he was 15. Since then, the victim has dealt with anxiety, depression and alcohol dependence, according to the lawsuit.
The abuse occurred during confession after the victim told LaRosa-Lopez he is gay. The lawsuit states the priest asked him inappropriate questions and then opened the partition window and exposed his genitals to the teenager.
“The abuse he incurred caused him shame about his sexual orientation and he has spent and continues to spend time and money on years of therapy and medication,” the lawsuit states.
Authorities arrested LaRosa-Lopez last September. The Montgomery County District Attorney’s Office has charged him with four counts of indecency with a child. The charges stem from abuse alleged by two adults who attended the Conroe church as teens from 1998-2000.
LaRosa-Lopez is awaiting trial and his next court appearance is scheduled on May 13.