Father Federico Fernandez and the Sexual Abuse of Humberto Leal

In 1983, Father Federico Fernandez, or "Father Fred," as he was known to the largely Mexican-American community in South San Antonio, accepted a position as the priest of St. Clare's Catholic Church. Not long after Fernandez moved to St. Clare's, rumors began that he was engaging in inappropriate activities with neighborhood kids. A swimming pool manager filed a complaint in 1983 after Fernandez exposed himself to two girls at the pool. When he went to the court hearing, however, a representative from the San Antonio archdiocese asked him not to press charges, and promised that the Archbishop would see to it that Fernandez "faced consequences" for his actions.

Over the next five years, however, Fernandez methodically preyed upon poor and vulnerable Mexican and Mexican-American children in his parish, sexually abusing them in the church and in their homes. In 1983-84, he turned his attentions to Humberto Leal. At the time, Humberto was a fourth grade student at Kindred elementary school. He was also attending communion classes at St. Clare's. When he misbehaved in class, Sister Maria would send him to Fernandez for discipline. Fernandez would order him to clean the pews or perform other menial tasks.

Fernandez began by approaching Humberto from behind while he was cleaning the pews. Fr. Fernandez would "accidentally" bump into the boy and touch him. As time passed, the touching became increasingly explicit. According to Dr. David Lisak, this technique is called "grooming," and it is one of the techniques commonly used by child abusers.

When Mr. Leal went to the storage supply closet for cleaning supplies, Fernandez would follow. In the confined space, Fernandez would fondle Humberto. After exposing his penis to Mr. Leal on multiple occasions, Fr. Fernandez began urging him to touch it, telling young Mr. Leal that he would not get in trouble for doing so given the authority and power vested in him as a priest. The abuse culminated in an anal rape when Humberto was 10 years old.

There are credible reports that Fernandez abused other children on the South Side of San Antonio in addition to Humberto Leal. In 1988, Fr. Fernandez was charged with indecency with a child after two neighborhood boys accused him of having fondled them. Although Fernandez agreed to plead guilty pursuant to a plea agreement, then-judge Susan Reed rejected the plea agreement. As a result, prosecutors were forced to dismiss the charges since the child victims did not want to go through the trauma of testifying. The church agreed to settle a civil lawsuit filed by the victims out of court.

Since Mr. Leal disclosed his own abuse, other victims have come forward – some for the first time – and disclosed that they, too, had been sexually abused by Fr. Fernandez. One victim, a boy who lived in Humberto's neighborhood, recalls being caressed by the priest as he lay naked in his bedroom. Another man explained that he had repeatedly notified the archdiocese of Fernandez's abuse, to no avail. Sister Maria, the nun who taught Humberto's communion classes, told other sisters in her order that the priest was an "evil man." Shortly after Fr. Fernandez was criminally charged with sexual abuse in 1988, Sister Maria sent a book dedication to her good friend in which she stated, "It's all over! The victory is won through Jesus Christ our Lord! Sister Maria later killed herself.

Fr. Fernandez is currently serving as a priest in Colombia.

The victims of Fr. Fernandez's abuse suffered unimaginable emotional and psychological pain, for which many sought counseling. Humberto, in particular, has struggled with intense feelings of humiliation and shame. He has struggled alone with his memories of the abuse, and the effects of the trauma endure. He has nonetheless tried to overcome his bitterness. Dr. Lisak asked him if there was anything he would say to Fernandez if given the opportunity, and he replied with three statements, in succession:

"Why me?"

"I would like him to say he's sorry."

"Tell him I forgive him."

Victims' rights organizations are calling on Governor Perry, the Texas Board of Pardons and Paroles, and Susan Reed to stay Humberto Leal's execution, as he is both a victim and a witness to these horrific events. In a letter to Governor Perry, they note that Mr. Leal's disclosure of his sexual abuse "may prompt other victims to come forward, and his testimony would serve to corroborate their allegations. To ensure that justice is served and that a repeat sexual offender is no longer permitted to work closely with children, we urge you to grant a reprieve to Mr. Leal until a criminal investigation of Fr. Fernandez has been completed, and he has been prosecuted to the full extent of the law."

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