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	Details Emerge in Lawsuit Involving Fall River Priest By Deborah Allard Herald News November 2, 2010 http://www.heraldnews.com/news/x782428780/Details-emerge-in-law-suit-involving-Fall-River-priest BOSTON — The Rev. John P. Harrington, a priest of the Fall River Diocese who is suing two church officials, will seek damages and relief for defamation in a civil action law suit. The suit was filed in Norfolk Superior Court. Harrington, former parochial vicar of St. Patrick Church in Falmouth, filed suit against Msgr. John A. Perry, pastor of St. Patrick Church in Falmouth and Vicar General of the Fall River Diocese; and the Rev. William M. Costello, pastor of St. Anthony Church in Falmouth. Harrington is alleging that beginning in 2005 Perry and Costello subjected him to harassment and ridicule with a false story about him stalking a minor boy. The Superior Court complaint states that the allegations were never verified and were made public by Perry. It also alleges that Costello may have fabricated the stalking story and that there was no actual complaint against Harrington. Following the matter, Harrington said his chalice at St. Patrick's was vandalized and he was ridiculed with disparaging remarks. Harrington was also allegedly suspended from living in diocesan housing, which the complaint said has caused him to be stigmatized as a sexual predator. Harrington is currently not assigned to a church. The complaint said he has and continues to be injured and suffer damages, including economic losses, loss of reputation and profession and emotional distress. According to a written statement by the Fall River Diocese, it learned only on Tuesday that Harrington filed the defamation suit "against two of his fellow diocesan priests." "The Diocese of Fall River believes that the suit is completely without merit and the decision to pursue it unfortunate," the statement read. E-mail Deborah Allard at dallard@heraldnews.com.
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