Fr. Vincent Feehan
Archdiocese of New Orleans
Ordained: 1977
Died: 2010
Assigned as Follows:
- Our Lady of Perpetual Help (Belle Chasse, LA)
- St. Anselm (Madisonville, LA)
- St. Catherine of Siena (Metairie, LA)
- St. Frances Xavier Cabrini (New Orleans, LA)
Summary of Sexual Abuse Allegations against Fr. Vincent Feehan:
In December of 1987, A Mandeville couple and their 19-year-old son filed a $17 million lawsuit against the Archdiocese of New Orleans and four of its priests. The suit claimed that one of the priests seduced the boy starting when he was a 13-year-old altar boy. The suit names Father James Kilgour as the priest who initiated the boy into homosexual activities in 1980 and 1981.
The boy also claimed that he told Father Kilgour he wanted to a priest, and Kilgour told him that the church permitted these homosexual activities.
The other priests that were accused in the lawsuit were Joseph Chotin, Charles Fendin, and Vincent Feehan. In the settlement, Kilgour was charged with abuse while the other three were charged with sexual advances toward the victim and showing the boy pornography films. The civil suit was settled and dismissed in 1991.
Vincent Freehan has been included on the New Orleans archdiocese's 2018 list of clergy members who have been credibly accused of sexual misconduct with a minor. The list notes that the allegation of abuse against him was received in 1987, and referred to abuse that occurred in the late 1970's and early 1980's. It also states that Vincent Feehan was able to go on voluntary leave.
Public records show that Feehan lived in Dallas and Kansas City, Missouri after leaving the priesthood. Vincent Feehan died in April of 2010.
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