A far-right, unofficial Catholic media website has agreed to pay $500,000 to a New Hampshire priest who sued for defamation over a 2019 article. The website, Church Militant, has disavowed the article and is planning to shut down soon, according to the priest's attorney.
The legal settlement follows a federal court judgment in favor of the Rev. Georges de Laire, an official with the Diocese of Manchester. Church Militant, known for its fiercely right-wing politics and radically conservative Catholicism, has faced criticism for its content.
The article in question, titled “NH Vicar Changes Dogma Into Heresy,” made unsubstantiated claims about de Laire's conduct and reputation. Church Militant now acknowledges that the claims were not properly vetted and apologizes for any distress caused to de Laire.
Michael Voris, the founder of St. Michael’s Media and Church Militant, resigned in November over a breach of the organization's morality clause. The organization has faced controversy in the past, including being denied permission to rally outside a meeting of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops in 2021.
Despite its loyal following, Church Militant is not recognized as a Church apostolate and lacks authorization to promote itself as Catholic, according to the Archdiocese of Detroit. The website has announced a shutdown and is holding a “Lenten Liquidation Sale” of its merchandise.
While Church Militant did not confirm the shutdown plan, de Laire's attorney stated that the website will be closing at the end of April. The legal battle between de Laire and Church Militant highlights the challenges of defamation in the digital age and the importance of responsible journalism.
