At Nigh Goldenberg Raso & Vaughn (NGRV), we are committed to holding religious institutions accountable when they fail to protect the most vulnerable. The recent bankruptcy filing by the Catholic Diocese of El Paso marks a critical turning point for survivors of clergy abuse in New Mexico and West Texas.
Below is our comprehensive guide for survivors seeking justice during this legal reorganization.
Catholic Diocese of El Paso: Clergy Abuse & Bankruptcy Filing
The Catholic Diocese of El Paso officially filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy on March 6, 2026, in the Western District of Texas. This move comes as the Diocese faces mounting legal pressure regarding historical allegations of sexual abuse.
While the Diocese claims bankruptcy is necessary to ensure equitable compensation for all survivors, this process also imposes strict legal deadlines that could permanently bar your right to file a claim if missed.
Why the Diocese Filed for Bankruptcy
- Mounting Litigation: The Diocese has received numerous claims of sexual abuse, some filed as formal lawsuits and others made directly to the church.
- Financial Reorganization: Estimated assets are listed between $10 million and $50 million, while estimated liabilities are currently listed between $1 million and $10 million.
- Survivor Trust Fund: The Chapter 11 filing allows the Diocese to create a structured process for distributing available funds to unsecured creditors, including abuse survivors.
Credibly Accused Clergy & The “Credible” Standard
The Diocese has publicly identified individuals—including diocesan priests, religious order priests, and brothers—who served since 1950 and have been “credibly accused” of the sexual abuse of minors.
Understanding the “Credible” Designation
It is important to understand that a “credible allegation” is a standard used internally by the Diocese, not a court of law.
- The Diocese’s Definition: The Bishop defines an allegation as “credible” when he determines there is reason to believe the claim is true after an internal review.
- Institutional Recognition: This determination is a finding by the Bishop that the conduct described constitutes a violation of the teachings of the Roman Catholic Church.
- Not a Legal Requirement: You do not need the Bishop to have already determined your allegations are “credible” to proceed with a legal claim. At NGRV, we represent survivors regardless of whether their abuser appears on the Diocese’s public list.
- Potential Omissions: The Diocese admits that names may be missing from their list due to lost records, reports made only to religious orders, or verbal reports that were never documented.
Complete List of Credibly Accused Clergy
To help survivors identify their abusers, we have provided the full list of names released by the Diocese:
Diocesan Priests (Incardinated to El Paso)
- Carlos Frias
- Sam Garcia
- Lawrence Gaynor
- James Hay
- Mario Islas
- Irving Klister
- Miguel Luna
- Jaime Madrid
- Jesse Muñoz
- Richard Nesom
- Jose Nieves
- Arthur O’Sullivan
- Dennis Tejada
- John Tickle
Extern Priests (From Other Dioceses)
- David Holley (Worcester, MA)
- Miguel Marin (Guayaquil, Ecuador)
- Emilio Roure (Unknown)
- Marcelino Santiago (Philippines)
- Frank Sierra (Unknown)
Religious Order Priests
- Santiago Almaguer, OFM
- Ray Labate, OSM
- Alfonso Madrid, SJ
- Manuel Maramba, OSB
- Pedro (Pete) Martinez, SJ
- Aloysius Ochoa, SJ
- Guido Quiroz, OFM
- Franco Tentori, OSM
Religious Order Brothers
- Stephen Furches, FSC
- Kerry Guillory, OFM
- Sam Martinez, FSC
Historical Context: The New Mexico Connection
Survivors in New Mexico are particularly impacted by this filing due to the historical boundaries of the Diocese.
- Former Territory: Prior to August 17, 1982, the Diocese of El Paso included the New Mexico counties of Doña Ana, Eddy, Grant, Hidalgo, Lea, Luna, Otero, and part of Sierra.
- Vetting Failures: Bishop Seitz acknowledged that past leadership accepted priests from other areas—including the Servants of the Paraclete treatment center in Jemez Springs, NM—without sufficient vetting.
- The “Discovery Rule”: In many cases, the statute of limitations may be extended if the harm was only recently understood or if the survivor was a minor at the time of the abuse.
How NGRV Can Help You
Navigating a bankruptcy-driven mass tort requires specialized legal expertise to ensure your voice is heard before the court-mandated deadlines. Our firm provides:
- Proof of Claim Filing: We ensure your claim is filed correctly and on time within the bankruptcy court to protect your eligibility for compensation.
- Verification of Clergy History: We track the movement of “extern” and religious order priests who may have been moved between parishes to hide abuse.
- Confidential Advocacy: We offer a safe, respectful environment to discuss your experience and investigate whether your abuser should be added to the official “credibly accused” list.
Take the Next Step Toward Justice
If you or a loved one were harmed by a member of the Catholic Diocese of El Paso, you do not have to face this legal process alone.
