Monsignor Hugh Clarke
Diocese of Charlotte
Ordained: 1950
Died: 2002
Assigned as Follows:
- 1965-1968: Immaculate Conception (Hendersonville, NC)
- 1968-1980: Christ the King Parish (Corpus Christi, TX)
- 1981-1986: St. Patrick Parish (Laredo, TX)
- 1986-1991: Our Lady of Refuge Parish (Refugio, TX)
Summary of Sexual Abuse Allegations against Monsignor Hugh Clarke:
Originally from Ireland, Monsignor Hugh Clarke was ordained a priest in 1950. He arrived in the Corpus Christi Diocese in 1968. He was then incardinated in 1975. According to media reports, a lawsuit was filed against him in 2010, alleging that he had molested 3 altar boys from 1972-1975, while assigned to Christ the King in Corpus Christi.
The suit also claimed that the diocese was negligent because it knew that Clarke had a history of psychological problems, including six months in a mental hospital in the 1960’s, and more treatment in the 1980’s. He would frequently drive through low-income housing near the parish and pick up altar boys to help him do projects at the church. Some of the alleged abuse would occur during these “projects.” Clarke retired from ministry in 1996 and moved back to his native country of Ireland. He died there in December of 2002.
According to media reports, the lawsuit was settled for $1.2 million dollars on July 12th, 2011. His name appears on the Corpus Christi diocese’s list as of January 31st, 2019. He was also added to the Diocese of Raleigh’s list on May 29th, 2019, because when he arrived in the US as a Carmelite priest in 1965, he was assigned to Immaculate Conception in Hendersonville, North Carolina.
Horowitz Law is a law firm representing victims and survivors of sexual abuse by Catholic priests and other clergy in the Diocese of Charlotte in North Carolina. If you need a lawyer because you were sexually abused by a priest in North Carolina, contact our office today. Although many years have passed, those abused by Catholic clergy in the Diocese of Charlotte now have legal options, but filing deadlines will apply so do not delay in reaching out to us. Our lawyers have decades of experience representing survivors of clergy sexual abuse in North Carolina and nationwide. We can help.
Contact us at 888-283-9922 or [email protected] to discuss your options today.