Catholic Fraternity Member Files Lawsuit Against Diocese of Charleston and Priest for Alleged False Claims

A member of a Catholic fraternity has filed a lawsuit against the Diocese of Charleston and a priest, alleging defamation and interference with his professional opportunities within the church.

Alexander Kirby claims in the legal action that Father Paul Lacombe spread false information about him that damaged both his reputation and career prospects. According to court documents filed in Charleston, South Carolina, Kirby alleges that Lacombe made several untrue statements, including a particularly damaging claim that pornography was discovered on Kirby’s computer.

The lawsuit contends that these allegations directly resulted in Kirby losing a potential employment opportunity with the Catholic Church. Kirby maintains that Father Lacombe had shown interest in the same position, suggesting a possible motive for the alleged defamation.

The fallout from these accusations extended beyond employment consequences. Kirby states in the filing that the false claims led to his ostracization from the Catholic fraternity to which he belonged, causing significant personal and social harm.

When contacted about the lawsuit, the Diocese of Charleston provided a brief statement: “We have received a copy of the lawsuit and are currently reviewing it. We will respond to the pleading in due time.” The diocese did not elaborate further on the specifics of the case or offer any defense of Father Lacombe’s alleged actions.

This case highlights the serious implications of defamation within religious organizations, where reputation and moral character carry particular weight. Religious institutions across the United States have faced increasing scrutiny regarding their internal handling of complaints and conflicts, with courts increasingly willing to examine disputes that might have previously been considered internal church matters.

Defamation cases involving religious organizations present unique challenges in the legal system. Courts must navigate the tension between First Amendment protections for religious institutions and individuals’ rights to seek redress for harm to their reputation and livelihood.

The lawsuit comes at a time when Catholic dioceses nationwide are already dealing with various legal challenges related to transparency and accountability. While most high-profile cases have involved abuse allegations, this lawsuit represents another category of legal challenge facing church leadership: disputes between church personnel that spill into civil courts.

Employment-related conflicts within religious organizations often raise questions about the application of the “ministerial exception,” a legal doctrine that limits government interference in religious institutions’ employment decisions regarding ministers and other staff with religious functions. However, defamation claims may fall outside this exception, particularly when they involve statements made beyond the scope of legitimate church governance.

The Charleston case will likely examine whether Father Lacombe’s alleged statements were made in his capacity as a priest or as an individual, which could significantly impact the legal outcome. The court may also consider whether the statements were made with malicious intent, as Kirby alleges they were designed to interfere with his professional opportunities.

Neither Kirby’s attorney nor Father Lacombe have issued public statements regarding the lawsuit. Court records do not yet indicate when the first hearing in the case will be scheduled.

As the legal process unfolds, this case may provide insight into how civil courts balance religious autonomy with individual rights to protection from defamation, particularly when career opportunities and community standing are at stake.