BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KERO) — Lawyers representing Monsignor Craig Harrison said he has tendered letters of resignation as the Pastor of St. Francis Parish and from his obligations as a Catholic priest.
The release said Harrison made the decision after "exhausting all efforts at justice," following two years of dealing with a defamation lawsuit stemming from statements made about sexual abuse allegations against him. One of those suits was filed against The Roman Catholic Diocese of Fresno and the Diocese spokeswoman for defamation stemming from statements made against Harrison in a 2019 article in KQED.
Allegations against Harrison were investigated in Kern County, Merced County and Fresno County. No authorities have moved to file charges against the monsignor.
"Msgr. has decided to walk away from the politics of the Bishop to continue his call to minister for Christ....He can only do this by leaving the place where he has been fundamentally betrayed."
Harrison claims he has received threats to drop his lawsuit against the Roman Catholic Diocese of Fresno. In a press briefing held in December, Harrison's attorney said for those reasons they believed Harrison would not be reinstated.
