Florham Park priest files defamation lawsuit against accuser

Instead of forgiving and forgetting, a Catholic priest who was charged with threatening to kill a fellow cleric in Florham Park has filed a defamation lawsuit against his accuser and the Vocationist Fathers, the religious order to which he belongs.

The Rev. Frank P. Hreno, 51, and now living in Whippany, was accepted earlier this month into Morris County’s Pre-Trial Intervention program to resolve a charge of threatening to kill the Rev. Emeka Okwuosa, 37, on April 18 at the Florham Park-based Vocationist Fathers Retreat and Conference Center.

Hreno made no admissions of criminal wrongdoing to be admitted into PTI. If he successfully completes one year of probation supervision and counseling by another priest, the terroristic threat charge will be dismissed and he will not have a criminal record.

Hreno’s lawsuit, made public Wednesday in Superior Court, Morristown, accuses Okwuosa of defamation by allegedly making up a false story that Hreno threatened him and chased him and stabbed him in the arm with a 4-foot crucifix. Hreno only was criminally charged with terroristic threats. Though Okwuosa alleged he was attacked with a cross, authorities did not charge Hreno with that offense.

Reached by telephone at the retreat, Okwuosa declined comment on the lawsuit. The general number of the retreat and conference center was answered by a man who said the religious superior, Father Ignatius Okoroji, was not available for comment. The suit names as defendants Rev. Okwuosa and the Vocationist Fathers, also known as the Society of Divine Vocations.

The lawsuit said that Hreno, up until the time of the incident, was the superior father and administrator of the Florham Park facility. Hreno’s lawsuit said that Okwuosa arrived in Florham Park in April 2013 and “consistently harassed and threatened Hreno by spitting in his face, pinning him up against a wall, stealing items from his private drawers, invading his private work space, taking his checkbook and writing checks to himself, and damaging automobiles that Hreno was authorized to use.”

The lawsuit contends that Okwuosa used Hreno’s credit card without his permission, provoked and undermined him, even though Hreno was his superior at the time.

The lawsuit states that the incidents alleged by Okwuosa to have happened in April 2014 never did and the contentions defamed Hreno and damaged his reputation in the religious and secular communities.

The lawsuit states that Hreno — at least for now — cannot celebrate Mass publicly or administer the sacraments by order of superiors.

He is suing for defamation, severe emotional and psychological stress, loss of reputation and for the failure of the Vocationist Fathers order to supervise Okwuosa.

“Though plaintiff has taken an evangelical vow of poverty, plaintiff has sustained losses, such as loss of entitlements as a member of the Vocationist Fathers, including food, shelter, clothing, medical treatment, auto transportation and education privileges,” the lawsuit said.

Defendants who are admitted into PTI make no admissions of guilt and are presumed innocent while they are supervised and fulfill other conditions. If they successfully complete the terms, criminal charges are dismissed and they do not have a record.

According to a criminal complaint, Hreno was charged on April 18, 2014 with threatening to kill Okwuosa that day. Their dispute revolved around the use of a vehicle that Hreno leased but Okwuosa believed was community property. Police were called to the center through a 911 report, and a borough officer signed the complaint against Hreno, who was released on his own recognizance.

The mission of the Vocationist Fathers is to foster religious training and the vocation of priesthood. The 37-acre refuge on Brooklake Road is used for retreats, Christian-based picnics and conferences, and the fostering of spirituality, according to its website.

Staff Writer Peggy Wright: 973-267-1142; pwright@njpressmedia.com