Skip to content
Call Today: 888-283-9922
Horowitz Law Logo
  • About
    • Adam Horowitz
    • Jessica Arbour
    • Elana Goodman
    • Robin Kissin
    • DeeDee Scheller
    • Eric Cantor
    • Alexandra Slater
    • Attorney Referrals
    • Testimonials
  • Who We Sue For Sexual Assault
    • Churches & Other Religious Organizations
    • Massage Businesses
    • Doctors, Healthcare, & Hospitals
    • Schools & Universities
    • Boy Scouts of America
    • Cruise Ships & Yachts
    • Summer Camp
    • Cheer & Other Youth Sports
    • Sexual Assault By Uber & Lyft Drivers
  • Sexual Abuse Lawyers
    • Child Sexual Abuse
  • FAQ
  • Media Coverage
    • Reported Cases
  • Legal Blog
  • Search
Contact Us

Fr. Dino Cinel – Archdiocese of New Orleans

Home  >  Sexual Abuse Law Blog  >  Fr. Dino Cinel – Archdiocese of New Orleans

May 26, 2020 | By Horowitz Law
Fr. Dino Cinel – Archdiocese of New Orleans

Father Dino Cinel

Archdiocese of New Orleans

Ordained: 1966

Removed: 1988

Died: 2018

Assigned as Follows:

  • Tulane University (New Orleans, LA)
  • St. Rita (New Orleans, LA)

Summary of Sexual Abuse Allegations against Father Dino Cinel:

Father Dino Cinel was a historian on the Tulane University faculty and was living at the rectory of St. Rita Catholic Church in late 1988 when a fellow priest discovered him with child pornography and homemade tapes of him having sex in the rectory with teen boys. The story did not become public at the time and was finally known and made public knowledge more than two years later. Archbishop Philip Hannan fired Father Cinel, who was vacationing in Italy at the time. Some suspect that the archbishop was giving Dino Cinel a heads-up that the authorities were onto him.

Dino Cinel admitted to several years of sexual activity with minor boys, particularly in the French Quarter of New Orleans. Then- District Attorney Harry Connick, a St. Rita parishioner, let the church hold onto the video recordings for weeks, saying they were trying to identify and contact the victims involved. Criminal charges were then filed in 1991 for possession of child porn, and he was acquitted in a criminal trial four years later on a technicality. Connick later concluded that the evidence in the case was not strong enough to prosecute Dino Cinel.

During this time, Dino Cinel had married a woman and had two children while teaching at the University in Staten Island until he was suspended. He then separated from his wife and ended up in Columbia. He was officially laicized in 2010.

One civil suit has been settled with a victim of Dino Cinel and the Archdiocese of New Orleans. In 2011, he resurfaced in Italy, claiming he struggled with his own sexual abuse as a child and petitioned the Vatican to re-examine his removal.

In February of 2018, Dino Cinel was found murdered in Medellin, Columbia. An 18-year-old boy who claimed to be Cinel's lover admitted to stabbing Cinel after a heated argument.

The Archdiocese of New Orleans has included Dino Cinel's name on their updated list of credibly accused priests and clergymen as of November 2018.

In April of 2020, the Archdiocese of New Orleans filed for bankruptcy protection. As part of its bankruptcy, the Archdiocese of New Orleans will be reviewing and paying claims for anyone sexually abused by diocesan priests and lay employees. This will likely include claims filed on behalf of anyone whose case may be beyond the statute of limitations.

Horowitz Law is a law firm representing victims of sexual abuse in the Archdiocese of New Orleans. The Archdiocese of New Orleans filed for federal bankruptcy protection in April 2020.  Our lawyers are now offering free legal consultations to discuss your legal options as a survivor of sexual abuse by priests and other employees of the New Orleans Archdiocese. Very strict filing deadlines will soon be set by the Bankruptcy Court. Most victims of abuse will never be able to recover damages if they miss this deadline, so please contact us to discuss your case today. Call us at 888-283-9922 or send an e-mail to adam@adamhorowitzlaw.com

Safeguard Your Future with Professional Legal Support

"*" indicates required fields

First Name*
Last Name*
How Would You Like To Be Contacted?
Disclaimer | Privacy Policy
Disclaimer*
This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Related Blogs

  • How Can a Lawyer Help File a Sexual Abuse Claim Against Organizations?
  • Fr. Bernard Schmaltz – Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux
  • Fr. Gerald Prinz – Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux
  • Father Gerard Kinane – Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux
  • How Do I File a Sexual Abuse Claim Against Clergy?
  • Fr. William Mannion, Jr. – Archdiocese of Baltimore
  • Health Department Issues Order Revoking Tommie James’ Massage Therapy License
  • Finding strength: Overcoming blame and embracing courage
  • Horowitz Law Client Sues Fontainebleau Hotel For Sexual Assault in Spa
  • What counts as a sexual assault during a massage?

Skilled Advocacy

Cycles Of Abuse And Fear Stop Here

The physical and emotional pain that stems from sexual abuse and assault can be devastating and have lasting, catastrophic effects on one’s life. If you or someone you love has been sexually assaulted or molested, contact a lawyer for sexual assault and child molestation victims today at 954-641-2100.

Meet Our Team

Contact Horowitz Law

While this website provides general information, it does not constitute legal advice. The best way to get guidance on your specific legal issue is to contact a lawyer. To schedule a meeting with an attorney, please call the firm or complete the intake form.

 

Cycles Of Abuse And Fear Stop Here

"*" indicates required fields

Name*
How Would You Like To Be Contacted?
Disclaimer | Privacy Policy
Disclaimer*
This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Fort Lauderdale, FL
110 E Broward Blvd, Suite 1530
Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301
954-641-2100
Horowitz Law Logo
  • About
  • Blog
  • Team
© 2025 Horowitz Law   Disclaimer | Privacy Policy | Sitemap