The Diocese of Las Vegas announced today that it will be adding the Reverend Henry Brian Highfill’s name to its List of Credibly Accused Clergy.
The following statement was sent to 13 Action News:
“The Diocese of Las Vegas was contacted August 27, 2018, by an individual with secondary information alleging that Father Highfill abused a now deceased close relative. The information he provided dates back to the early 1980’s when Highfill was serving in the Archdiocese of New Orleans. This contact triggered an immediate investigation and resulted in Father Highfill’s suspension by the Diocese of Las Vegas from public ministry on August 28, 2018, which still remains in effect,” said David Roger, member of the Diocese of Las Vegas independent Review Board and former Clark County District Attorney.
The Diocese of Las Vegas conducted an investigation into the information provided and turned over the results of that investigation to the Archdiocese of New Orleans and the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department in September of 2018. The estimated time of abuse was between 1975 and 1981 and to date there has been no accusation or information of any incidents in Las Vegas.
Reverend Brian Highfill’s name was not immediately included on the Diocese of Las Vegas’s List of Credibly Accused Clergy by request of the Archdiocese of New Orleans. Their request was to allow time for them to complete their own investigation, given the complexity of a second person complaint.
The Archdiocese of New Orleans suspended Father Highfill in November of 2018. The Diocese of Las Vegas was informed late Wednesday, August 19, 2020, that the Archdiocese has added Father Highfill’s name to their List of Credibly Accused Clergy, based on a new allegation.
As a result of this notification, the Diocese of Las Vegas is updating its latest List of Credibly Accused Clergy to include Father Highfill’s name.
Father Henry Brian Highfill was ordained into the Archdiocese of New Orleans in May of 1974, where he served until 1981 when he left to serve as a military chaplain for the Archdiocese of the Military.
Father Highfill came to Las Vegas in March of 1999. Highfill’s pastoral assignments in the Diocese of Las Vegas included:
March 1999 St. Joseph Husband of Mary
March 2000 St. John Neumann
July 2000 Our Lady of Las Vegas November
2001 St. Francis de Sales August
2002 Prince of Peace
2002 Chaplain for Serra East
2003-2005 St. Christopher Catholic Church
Suspended from Ministry by the Diocese of Las Vegas: August 28, 2018
The Diocese of Las Vegas encourages anyone who has any information or knowledge of allegations of abuse against any member of clergy within the Diocese of Las Vegas, to please contact law enforcement and Mr. Ron Vallance, Victim Assista
