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Roman Catholic Diocese of Lafayette in Louisiana

April 16, 2024

For the diocese of same name in Indiana, see Roman Catholic Diocese of Lafayette in Indiana.

The Diocese of Lafayette in Louisiana (Latin: Dioecesis Lafayettensis, French: Diocèse de Lafayette en Louisiane), is a Latin Catholic ecclesiastical territory or diocese of the Catholic Church in the United States. It is a suffragan diocese of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of New Orleans. The diocese was erected by the Vatican in 1918, and its current bishop is J. Douglas Deshotel. Covering St. Landry, Evangeline, Lafayette, St. Martin, Iberia, St. Mary, Acadia, and Vermilion parishes with exception to Morgan City of the Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux), the diocese is divided into four deaneries.[2][3][4][5]

Diocese of Lafayette

Dioecesis Lafayettensis

Diocèse de Lafayette
Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist
Coat of arms
Location
Country United States
TerritoryCivil parishes of St. Landry, Evangeline, Lafayette, St. Martin, Iberia, St. Mary, Acadia and Vermilion
Ecclesiastical provinceArchdiocese of New Orleans
Statistics
Area5,779 sq mi (14,970 km2)
Population
- Total
- Catholics		(as of 2013)
629,000
330,000 (52.5%)
Parishes121
Information
DenominationCatholic Church
Sui iuris churchLatin Church
RiteRoman Rite
EstablishedJanuary 11, 1918
CathedralCathedral of Saint John the Evangelist
Patron saintImmaculate Conception (Primary)
St. John Vianney (Secondary)[1]
Secular priests190
Current leadership
PopeFrancis
BishopJ. Douglas Deshotel
Metropolitan ArchbishopGregory Michael Aymond
Bishops emeritusCharles Michael Jarrell
Map
Website
diolaf.org

History edit

1700 to 1918 edit

During the mid-1700s, when Louisiana was part of the Spanish Empire, Catholic settlers from Spain, France, and Germany started arriving in the Lafayette area. Starting in 1755, they were joined by numerous French Acadians whom the British had expelled from their home in present-day Nova Scotia.[6] The following are the first Catholic parishes in the area:

After the Louisiana Purchase in 1803, all of present-day Louisiana became part of the United States. At that time, Louisiana was part of the Diocese of Louisiana and the Two Floridas, with its see city as New Orleans. In 1825, the Vatican renamed this diocese as the Diocese of New Orleans.[7] The Lafayette area would be part of the Diocese of New Orleans, succeeded by the Archdiocese of New Orleans, for the next 93 years.

1918 to 1950 edit

Pope Benedict XV erected the Roman Catholic Diocese of Lafayette in Louisiana on January 11, 1918, with territory taken from the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of New Orleans. The pope named Monsignor Jules Jeanmard of New Orleans as the first bishop of the new diocese. Jeanmard designated Saint John's Church in Lafayette as the cathedral.[8]

During his 38-year tenure, Jeanmard established Immaculata Seminary, St. Mary's Orphan Home, Our Lady of the Oaks Retreat House, the Catholic Student Center at the University of Southwestern Louisiana, a retreat wing of the Most Holy Sacrament Convent, a Carmelite monastery, and numerous schools and churches.[9]

In March 1923, a crowd in Lafayette was on the verge of starting a race riot after being incited by the Ku Klux Klan. Jeanmard persuaded the people to return home.[10][11] In 1934, he welcomed the first African-American priests into the diocese.[12] Jeanmard also established a number of separate parishes for African-Americans, whom he did not want intimidated or infringed upon by whites.[9] With financial assistance from Sister Katharine Drexel, Jeanmard helped establish several rural parochial schools for African-Americans in the diocese.[9]

Jeanmard encouraged diocesan-sponsored television programs, religious radio programs in both English and French, and a diocesan newspaper The Southwest Louisiana Register.[9] Jeanmard also issued pastoral letters in support of the rights of labor to organize.[9]

1950 to 1990 edit

In 1952, Jeanmard became the first bishop in the Deep South to ordain an African-American man to diocesan priesthood when he conferred holy orders upon Louis Ledoux. In November 1955, Jeanmard excommunicated two women from Erath, Louisiana, after they assaulted a woman who taught an integrated catechism class.[10][13]

After Jeanmard retired in 1956, Pope Pius XII named Auxiliary Bishop Maurice Schexnayder as the next bishop of Lafayette in Louisiana. During his tenure, he built a new chancery building, expanded Immaculata Minor Seminary, established thirty-one parishes, and ordained eighty-one priests.[14] In 1961, he established St. Eugene Catholic Church in Grand Chenier.[15] Schexnayder retired in 1972.

In 1972, Pope Paul VI named Monsignor Gerard Frey of New Orleans as the third bishop of Lafayette in Louisiana.[16] In 1980, Pope John Paul II erected the Diocese of Lake Charles, assigning the western half of the Diocese of Lafayette in Louisiana to the new diocese.[17][18] During his tenure, Frey launched the Social Apostolate, a social service agency designed "to put people in the pews in touch with the poor."[19] He also encouraged every church in the diocese to establish a parish council.[19] John Paul II appointed Reverend Harry Flynn from the Diocese of Albany as coadjutor bishop in 1989 to assist Frey. When Frey retired later that year, Flynn automatically became the new bishop.[20]

1990 to the early 21st century edit

Flynn served in Lafayette in Louisiana until 1994, when John Paul II named him archbishop of the Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis. To replace Flynn, the pope appointed Auxiliary Bishop Edward O'Donnell from the Archdiocese of St. Louis.[21] One of O'Donnell's initiatives was to increase the number of African-Americans in diocesan affairs.[22] He also instituted one of the first zero tolerance policies towards child sexual abuse by clergy in the nation.[23] O'Donnell retired in 2002.

In 2002, John Paul II appointed Charles Jarrell of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Houma–Thibodaux as bishop of Lafayette in Louisiana. Jarrell retired in 2016.[24][25]

The current bishop of Lafayette in Louisiana is J. Douglas Deshotel, formerly an auxiliary bishop of the Diocese of Dallas. He was appointed by Pope Francis in 2016.[26][27][28]

Sex abuse controversies edit

In 1980, the diocese suspended Reverend Gilbert Gauthe from his pastoral position in the diocese. As early as 1972, three priest had confronted Gauthe about misconduct with boys. In 1974, Bishop Frey assigned Gauthe as a Boy Scout chaplain, even though Frey had heard allegations of Gauthe molesting altar boys.[29] In 1976, he was sent away for therapy for seven months. By 1983, the diocese was receiving allegations of sexual misconduct from parents.[30] The diocese by 1985 had settled nine lawsuits for $4.2 million.[31]

The diocese in 1983 received a complaint from a family that Reverend Robert Fontenot had sexually abuse their child. He had previously been transferred out of other parishes due to complaints by priests that he was molesting children. The diocese in 1983 sent him to a House of Affirmation in the Boston area.[32] The diocese reportedly paid $1 million in compensation to several of his victims. In 1986, Fortenot was arrested in Spokane, Washington, on charges of molesting boys at a drug treatment center. He was convicted and sentenced to one year in prison.[33]

In October 1984, in a trial receiving national media coverage, Gauthe was charged with multiple counts of aggravated crimes against nature, committing sexually immoral acts with minors, aggravated rape (sodomizing a boy under the age of 12) and crimes of pornography involving juveniles, through pornographic photo sessions. He pleaded guilty by reason of insanity.[31] In October 1985, Gauthe accepted a plea bargain, pleading guilty to child pornography, crime against nature and contributing to the delinquency of a minor. He was sentenced to 20 years in prison.[34]

Criticized for his handling of Gauthe, Frey in 1985 expressed his regret, saying, "I ask for the prayers and understanding of all our people and of all people of good will of every faith and belief. I deeply regret and am distressed by the suffering that has taken place because of the tragic events in the diocese over the past several years."[citation needed] The diocese settled for more than $20 million in lawsuits involving Gauthe. Gauthe was later jailed for violating the Texas sex offender registration law and released in April 2010.[35]

In 2008, the diocese paid a financial settlement to a former altar boy who claimed Reverend Valerie Pullman had sexually abused him in 1972. Pullman died in 2017 after being accused as early as 1966 of sexually abusing children at different parishes in the diocese.[36]

In 2014, documents were released that accused Bishop Schexnayder of protecting priests in the diocese who had been accused of sexually abusing children. In a lawsuit, the diocese's insurance company "argued that the diocese knew for years, if not decades, that some of their priests had fondled and even raped children" and that "the molestations took place largely during the reigns of Bishops Maurice Schexnayder" and his successor, Bishop Frey".[37]

In 2015, it was revealed that ten years previously, the diocese had paid a $26 million settlement to the families of 123 children who were sexually abused by diocese priests between 1959 and 2002. The Daily Advertiser urged the release of the priests' names, but Bishop Jarrell refused, saying that he could not see the point.[38]

In October 2018, former priest David Broussard received a five-year prison sentence after pleading guilty to possession of child pornography. Louisiana State Police found 500 images of child pornography on his computer during a search of his rectory in St. Bernard Church in Breaux Bridge.[39]

In March 2019, Reverend Michael Guidry confessed to molesting Oliver Peyton, a 16-year-old boy. Peyton, the son of the church deacon, was abuse by Guidry at his residence in St. Landry Parish.[40][41] In April 2019, Guidry pleaded guilty and received a seven-year prison sentence.[42] In March 2024, bishop Deshotel excommunicated Peyton's father.[43] In April 2019, the diocese released a list of 33 diocesan clergy who were "credibly accused" of committing acts of sex abuse.[44][45]

Bishops edit

Diocesan bishops edit

  1. Jules Jeanmard (1918-1956)
  2. Maurice Schexnayder (1956-1972)
  3. Gerard Louis Frey (1972-1989)
  4. Harry Joseph Flynn (1989-1994), appointed Coadjutor Archbishop of Saint Paul and Minneapolis and subsequently succeeded as archbishop
  5. Edward Joseph O'Donnell (1994-2002)
  6. Charles Michael Jarrell (2002-2016)
  7. J. Douglas Deshotel (2016–present)[46]

Former auxiliary bishops edit

Other diocesan priests who became bishops edit

High schools edit

Ecclesiastical province of New Orleans edit

See: List of the Catholic bishops of the United States#Province of New Orleans

References edit

  1. ^ "Patron Saints of the Diocese". Roman Catholic Diocese of Lafayette, Louisiana.
  2. ^ "Central Deanery". Roman Catholic Diocese of Lafayette, Louisiana. Retrieved 2021-06-04.
  3. ^ "North Deanery". Roman Catholic Diocese of Lafayette, Louisiana. Retrieved 2021-06-04.
  4. ^ "South Deanery". Roman Catholic Diocese of Lafayette, Louisiana. Retrieved 2021-06-04.
  5. ^ "West Deanery". Roman Catholic Diocese of Lafayette, Louisiana. Retrieved 2021-06-04.
  6. ^ "The History of the Diocese of Lafayette". Roman Catholic Diocese of Lafayette, Louisiana. Retrieved 2023-04-07.
  7. ^ "New Orleans (Archdiocese) [Catholic-Hierarchy]". www.catholic-hierarchy.org. Retrieved 2023-08-26.
  8. ^ "The History of the Diocese of Lafayette". Roman Catholic Diocese of Lafayette, Louisiana. Retrieved 2021-06-04.
  9. ^ a b c d e "Diocese of Lafayette History". Roman Catholic Diocese of Lafayette in Louisiana.
  10. ^ a b "BISHOP JEANMARD DIES IN LOUISIANA; Catholic Prelate Banned 2 Women Who Beat Teacher of Integrated Classes". The New York Times. 1957-02-24.
  11. ^ "Louisiana Guardsmen Refuse to Drill Under Klan Captain". The New York Times.
  12. ^ . Louisiana Historical Association. Archived from the original on 2017-10-20. Retrieved 2010-05-26.
  13. ^ . TIME Magazine. 1957-03-04. Archived from the original on October 19, 2011.
  14. ^ . Louisiana Historical Association. Archived from the original on 2017-10-19. Retrieved 2009-09-19.
  15. ^ Truman Stacey of the Diocese of Lake Charles for the Jubilee Year 2000.
  16. ^ "Bishop Gerard Louis Frey". Catholic-Hierarchy.org.
  17. ^ "Lake Charles (Diocese) [Catholic-Hierarchy]". www.catholic-hierarchy.org. Retrieved 2021-06-04.
  18. ^ "Diocese of Lafayette". Catholic-Hierarchy.org. David M. Cheney. Retrieved 21 January 2015.
  19. ^ a b Felty, Dana Clark (2007-08-18). "Bishop Frey recalled as kind, open to change". The Advocate.
  20. ^ "Bishop Harry Flynn". Diocese of Lafayette, Louisiana.
  21. ^ "Bishop Edward Joseph O'Donnell [Catholic-Hierarchy]". www.catholic-hierarchy.org. Retrieved 2023-08-26.
  22. ^ "Bishop Edward O'Donnell". Roman Catholic Diocese of Lafayette, Louisiana. Retrieved 2022-07-31.
  23. ^ "Obituary of Bishop Edward O'Donnell: Civil rights leader, beloved pastor". St. Louis Public Radio. 2009-02-08. Retrieved 2022-07-31.
  24. ^ "Bishop Michael Jarrell". Roman Catholic Diocese of Lafayette, Louisiana. Retrieved 2021-11-23.
  25. ^ "Bishop Charles Michael Jarrell [Catholic-Hierarchy]". www.catholic-hierarchy.org. Retrieved 2023-08-26.
  26. ^ "Rinunce e nomine". press.vatican.va. Retrieved 3 August 2023.
  27. ^ "Bing Microsoft Translator". www.bing.com. Retrieved 3 August 2023.
  28. ^ "Bishop J. Douglas Deshotel". Roman Catholic Diocese of Lafayette, Louisiana. Retrieved 2022-10-13.
  29. ^ "Rev. Gilbert J. Gauthe-Assignment". www.bishopaccountability.org. Retrieved 2017-07-10.
  30. ^ Radio, Minnesota Public. "It all began in Lafayette | Betrayed by Silence: Chapter One". Minnesota Public Radio News. Retrieved 2017-07-10.
  31. ^ a b "Jason Berry, The Tragedy of Gilbert Gauthe, Part I". www.bishop-accountability.org. Retrieved 2023-08-26.
  32. ^ "Jason Berry, Anatomy of a Cover-Up [Gauthe, Fontenot, Limoges, Engbers, Hebert]". www.bishop-accountability.org. Retrieved 2023-08-26.
  33. ^ "Ronald Lane Fontenot". KATC News. 2019-01-14. Retrieved 2023-08-26.
  34. ^ Ap (1985-10-15). "EX-PASTOR GIVEN 20-YEAR SENTENCE". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2023-08-26.
  35. ^ "Church abuse case haunts lawyer who defended priest". USA TODAY. Retrieved 2017-07-10.
  36. ^ "Records reveal new info in priest child abuse case, by Billy Gunn And Richard Burgess, Advocate (September 7, 2014)". www.bishop-accountability.org. Retrieved 2023-08-26.
  37. ^ Gunn, Billy; Burgess, Robert (10 September 2014). "Documents shed light on old scandal". The Advocate. Retrieved 31 May 2021.
  38. ^ Taylor, Claire. "From the Archives: Bishop: Abusive priests' names won't be revealed". The Daily Advertiser. Retrieved 2021-11-23.
  39. ^ McElfresh, Amanda. "Former Acadiana priest pleads guilty to child porn charges". The Daily Advertiser. Retrieved 2023-08-26.
  40. ^ "Former Louisiana Priest Pleads Guilty to Child Molestation". US News & World Report. 29 March 2019. Retrieved 3 August 2023.
  41. ^ "South Louisiana priest arrested for molesting 16-year-old boy | WGNO". 14 June 2018.
  42. ^ MYERS, BEN (30 April 2019). "Former Lafayette Diocese priest Michael Guidry sentenced to 7 years for abusing altar boy". The Advocate.
  43. ^ Schmall, Emily (24 March 2024). "Former Deacon Excommunicated After His Son Is Sexually Abused by a Priest". The New York Times.
  44. ^ TAYLOR, CLAIRE (10 April 2019). "Lafayette diocese to release clergy abuse list Friday; 33 priests, 4 deacons to be named". The Advocate.
  45. ^ Doyle, Anne Barrett (2021-05-10). "Lafayette Diocese: Allegations against former priest Michael Guidry credible, formally apologizes to victim and family - BishopAccountability.org". Retrieved 2023-08-26.
  46. ^ Gunn, Billy. "Diocese of Lafayette announces new bishop: the Most Rev. J. Douglas Deshotel". The Advocate. Retrieved 2017-07-10.

External links edit

  • Roman Catholic Diocese of Lafayette in Louisiana Official Site
  • Brief description of the Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist 2006-05-08 at the Wayback Machine
  • Photos of the Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist

30°12′50″N 92°01′46″W / 30.21389°N 92.02944°W / 30.21389; -92.02944

April 16, 2024
roman, catholic, diocese, lafayette, louisiana, diocese, same, name, indiana, roman, catholic, diocese, lafayette, indiana, diocese, lafayette, louisiana, latin, dioecesis, lafayettensis, french, diocèse, lafayette, louisiane, latin, catholic, ecclesiastical, . For the diocese of same name in Indiana see Roman Catholic Diocese of Lafayette in Indiana The Diocese of Lafayette in Louisiana Latin Dioecesis Lafayettensis French Diocese de Lafayette en Louisiane is a Latin Catholic ecclesiastical territory or diocese of the Catholic Church in the United States It is a suffragan diocese of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of New Orleans The diocese was erected by the Vatican in 1918 and its current bishop is J Douglas Deshotel Covering St Landry Evangeline Lafayette St Martin Iberia St Mary Acadia and Vermilion parishes with exception to Morgan City of the Diocese of Houma Thibodaux the diocese is divided into four deaneries 2 3 4 5 Diocese of LafayetteDioecesis LafayettensisDiocese de LafayetteCathedral of St John the EvangelistCoat of armsLocationCountry United StatesTerritoryCivil parishes of St Landry Evangeline Lafayette St Martin Iberia St Mary Acadia and VermilionEcclesiastical provinceArchdiocese of New OrleansStatisticsArea5 779 sq mi 14 970 km2 Population Total Catholics as of 2013 629 000330 000 52 5 Parishes121InformationDenominationCatholic ChurchSui iuris churchLatin ChurchRiteRoman RiteEstablishedJanuary 11 1918CathedralCathedral of Saint John the EvangelistPatron saintImmaculate Conception Primary St John Vianney Secondary 1 Secular priests190Current leadershipPopeFrancisBishopJ Douglas DeshotelMetropolitan ArchbishopGregory Michael AymondBishops emeritusCharles Michael JarrellMapWebsitediolaf orgContents 1 History 1 1 1700 to 1918 1 2 1918 to 1950 1 3 1950 to 1990 1 4 1990 to the early 21st century 1 4 1 Sex abuse controversies 2 Bishops 2 1 Diocesan bishops 2 2 Former auxiliary bishops 2 3 Other diocesan priests who became bishops 3 High schools 4 Ecclesiastical province of New Orleans 5 References 6 External linksHistory edit1700 to 1918 edit During the mid 1700s when Louisiana was part of the Spanish Empire Catholic settlers from Spain France and Germany started arriving in the Lafayette area Starting in 1755 they were joined by numerous French Acadians whom the British had expelled from their home in present day Nova Scotia 6 The following are the first Catholic parishes in the area St Martinville 1756 St Landry 1776 Grand Coteau 1819 Vermilionville now Lafayette 1821After the Louisiana Purchase in 1803 all of present day Louisiana became part of the United States At that time Louisiana was part of the Diocese of Louisiana and the Two Floridas with its see city as New Orleans In 1825 the Vatican renamed this diocese as the Diocese of New Orleans 7 The Lafayette area would be part of the Diocese of New Orleans succeeded by the Archdiocese of New Orleans for the next 93 years 1918 to 1950 edit Pope Benedict XV erected the Roman Catholic Diocese of Lafayette in Louisiana on January 11 1918 with territory taken from the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of New Orleans The pope named Monsignor Jules Jeanmard of New Orleans as the first bishop of the new diocese Jeanmard designated Saint John s Church in Lafayette as the cathedral 8 During his 38 year tenure Jeanmard established Immaculata Seminary St Mary s Orphan Home Our Lady of the Oaks Retreat House the Catholic Student Center at the University of Southwestern Louisiana a retreat wing of the Most Holy Sacrament Convent a Carmelite monastery and numerous schools and churches 9 In March 1923 a crowd in Lafayette was on the verge of starting a race riot after being incited by the Ku Klux Klan Jeanmard persuaded the people to return home 10 11 In 1934 he welcomed the first African American priests into the diocese 12 Jeanmard also established a number of separate parishes for African Americans whom he did not want intimidated or infringed upon by whites 9 With financial assistance from Sister Katharine Drexel Jeanmard helped establish several rural parochial schools for African Americans in the diocese 9 Jeanmard encouraged diocesan sponsored television programs religious radio programs in both English and French and a diocesan newspaper The Southwest Louisiana Register 9 Jeanmard also issued pastoral letters in support of the rights of labor to organize 9 1950 to 1990 edit In 1952 Jeanmard became the first bishop in the Deep South to ordain an African American man to diocesan priesthood when he conferred holy orders upon Louis Ledoux In November 1955 Jeanmard excommunicated two women from Erath Louisiana after they assaulted a woman who taught an integrated catechism class 10 13 After Jeanmard retired in 1956 Pope Pius XII named Auxiliary Bishop Maurice Schexnayder as the next bishop of Lafayette in Louisiana During his tenure he built a new chancery building expanded Immaculata Minor Seminary established thirty one parishes and ordained eighty one priests 14 In 1961 he established St Eugene Catholic Church in Grand Chenier 15 Schexnayder retired in 1972 In 1972 Pope Paul VI named Monsignor Gerard Frey of New Orleans as the third bishop of Lafayette in Louisiana 16 In 1980 Pope John Paul II erected the Diocese of Lake Charles assigning the western half of the Diocese of Lafayette in Louisiana to the new diocese 17 18 During his tenure Frey launched the Social Apostolate a social service agency designed to put people in the pews in touch with the poor 19 He also encouraged every church in the diocese to establish a parish council 19 John Paul II appointed Reverend Harry Flynn from the Diocese of Albany as coadjutor bishop in 1989 to assist Frey When Frey retired later that year Flynn automatically became the new bishop 20 1990 to the early 21st century edit Flynn served in Lafayette in Louisiana until 1994 when John Paul II named him archbishop of the Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis To replace Flynn the pope appointed Auxiliary Bishop Edward O Donnell from the Archdiocese of St Louis 21 One of O Donnell s initiatives was to increase the number of African Americans in diocesan affairs 22 He also instituted one of the first zero tolerance policies towards child sexual abuse by clergy in the nation 23 O Donnell retired in 2002 In 2002 John Paul II appointed Charles Jarrell of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Houma Thibodaux as bishop of Lafayette in Louisiana Jarrell retired in 2016 24 25 The current bishop of Lafayette in Louisiana is J Douglas Deshotel formerly an auxiliary bishop of the Diocese of Dallas He was appointed by Pope Francis in 2016 26 27 28 Sex abuse controversies edit In 1980 the diocese suspended Reverend Gilbert Gauthe from his pastoral position in the diocese As early as 1972 three priest had confronted Gauthe about misconduct with boys In 1974 Bishop Frey assigned Gauthe as a Boy Scout chaplain even though Frey had heard allegations of Gauthe molesting altar boys 29 In 1976 he was sent away for therapy for seven months By 1983 the diocese was receiving allegations of sexual misconduct from parents 30 The diocese by 1985 had settled nine lawsuits for 4 2 million 31 The diocese in 1983 received a complaint from a family that Reverend Robert Fontenot had sexually abuse their child He had previously been transferred out of other parishes due to complaints by priests that he was molesting children The diocese in 1983 sent him to a House of Affirmation in the Boston area 32 The diocese reportedly paid 1 million in compensation to several of his victims In 1986 Fortenot was arrested in Spokane Washington on charges of molesting boys at a drug treatment center He was convicted and sentenced to one year in prison 33 In October 1984 in a trial receiving national media coverage Gauthe was charged with multiple counts of aggravated crimes against nature committing sexually immoral acts with minors aggravated rape sodomizing a boy under the age of 12 and crimes of pornography involving juveniles through pornographic photo sessions He pleaded guilty by reason of insanity 31 In October 1985 Gauthe accepted a plea bargain pleading guilty to child pornography crime against nature and contributing to the delinquency of a minor He was sentenced to 20 years in prison 34 Criticized for his handling of Gauthe Frey in 1985 expressed his regret saying I ask for the prayers and understanding of all our people and of all people of good will of every faith and belief I deeply regret and am distressed by the suffering that has taken place because of the tragic events in the diocese over the past several years citation needed The diocese settled for more than 20 million in lawsuits involving Gauthe Gauthe was later jailed for violating the Texas sex offender registration law and released in April 2010 35 In 2008 the diocese paid a financial settlement to a former altar boy who claimed Reverend Valerie Pullman had sexually abused him in 1972 Pullman died in 2017 after being accused as early as 1966 of sexually abusing children at different parishes in the diocese 36 In 2014 documents were released that accused Bishop Schexnayder of protecting priests in the diocese who had been accused of sexually abusing children In a lawsuit the diocese s insurance company argued that the diocese knew for years if not decades that some of their priests had fondled and even raped children and that the molestations took place largely during the reigns of Bishops Maurice Schexnayder and his successor Bishop Frey 37 In 2015 it was revealed that ten years previously the diocese had paid a 26 million settlement to the families of 123 children who were sexually abused by diocese priests between 1959 and 2002 The Daily Advertiser urged the release of the priests names but Bishop Jarrell refused saying that he could not see the point 38 In October 2018 former priest David Broussard received a five year prison sentence after pleading guilty to possession of child pornography Louisiana State Police found 500 images of child pornography on his computer during a search of his rectory in St Bernard Church in Breaux Bridge 39 In March 2019 Reverend Michael Guidry confessed to molesting Oliver Peyton a 16 year old boy Peyton the son of the church deacon was abuse by Guidry at his residence in St Landry Parish 40 41 In April 2019 Guidry pleaded guilty and received a seven year prison sentence 42 In March 2024 bishop Deshotel excommunicated Peyton s father 43 In April 2019 the diocese released a list of 33 diocesan clergy who were credibly accused of committing acts of sex abuse 44 45 Bishops editDiocesan bishops edit Jules Jeanmard 1918 1956 Maurice Schexnayder 1956 1972 Gerard Louis Frey 1972 1989 Harry Joseph Flynn 1989 1994 appointed Coadjutor Archbishop of Saint Paul and Minneapolis and subsequently succeeded as archbishop Edward Joseph O Donnell 1994 2002 Charles Michael Jarrell 2002 2016 J Douglas Deshotel 2016 present 46 Former auxiliary bishops edit Maurice Schexnayder 1951 1956 appointed bishop in Lafayette Robert Emmet Tracy 1959 1961 appointed Bishop of Baton Rouge Warren Louis Boudreaux 1962 1971 appointed Bishop of Beaumont later Bishop of Houma ThibodauxOther diocesan priests who became bishops edit Jude Speyrer appointed Bishop of Lake Charles in 1980 Sam Joseph Galip Jacobs priest in Lafayette 1964 1980 appointed Bishop of Alexandria in 1989 Glen Provost appointed Bishop of Lake Charles in 2007High schools editAcademy of the Sacred Heart Grand Coteau Catholic High School New Iberia Hanson Memorial High School Franklin Notre Dame High School Crowley Opelousas Catholic School Opelousas Sacred Heart High School Ville Platte St Edmund High School Eunice St Thomas More High Catholic High School Lafayette Teurlings Catholic High School Lafayette Vermilion Catholic High School AbbevilleEcclesiastical province of New Orleans editSee List of the Catholic bishops of the United States Province of New OrleansReferences edit Patron Saints of the Diocese Roman Catholic Diocese of Lafayette Louisiana Central Deanery Roman Catholic Diocese of Lafayette Louisiana Retrieved 2021 06 04 North Deanery Roman Catholic Diocese of Lafayette Louisiana Retrieved 2021 06 04 South Deanery Roman Catholic Diocese of Lafayette Louisiana Retrieved 2021 06 04 West Deanery Roman Catholic Diocese of Lafayette Louisiana Retrieved 2021 06 04 The History of the Diocese of Lafayette Roman Catholic Diocese of Lafayette Louisiana Retrieved 2023 04 07 New Orleans Archdiocese Catholic Hierarchy www catholic hierarchy org Retrieved 2023 08 26 The History of the Diocese of Lafayette Roman Catholic Diocese of Lafayette Louisiana Retrieved 2021 06 04 a b c d e Diocese of Lafayette History Roman Catholic Diocese of Lafayette in Louisiana a b BISHOP JEANMARD DIES IN LOUISIANA Catholic Prelate Banned 2 Women Who Beat Teacher of Integrated Classes The New York Times 1957 02 24 Louisiana Guardsmen Refuse to Drill Under Klan Captain The New York Times JEANMARD Jules Benjamin Louisiana Historical Association Archived from the original on 2017 10 20 Retrieved 2010 05 26 Milestones TIME Magazine 1957 03 04 Archived from the original on October 19 2011 SCHEXNAYDER Maurice Louisiana Historical Association Archived from the original on 2017 10 19 Retrieved 2009 09 19 Truman Stacey of the Diocese of Lake Charles for the Jubilee Year 2000 Bishop Gerard Louis Frey Catholic Hierarchy org Lake Charles Diocese Catholic Hierarchy www catholic hierarchy org Retrieved 2021 06 04 Diocese of Lafayette Catholic Hierarchy org David M Cheney Retrieved 21 January 2015 a b Felty Dana Clark 2007 08 18 Bishop Frey recalled as kind open to change The Advocate Bishop Harry Flynn Diocese of Lafayette Louisiana Bishop Edward Joseph O Donnell Catholic Hierarchy www catholic hierarchy org Retrieved 2023 08 26 Bishop Edward O Donnell Roman Catholic Diocese of Lafayette Louisiana Retrieved 2022 07 31 Obituary of Bishop Edward O Donnell Civil rights leader beloved pastor St Louis Public Radio 2009 02 08 Retrieved 2022 07 31 Bishop Michael Jarrell Roman Catholic Diocese of Lafayette Louisiana Retrieved 2021 11 23 Bishop Charles Michael Jarrell Catholic Hierarchy www catholic hierarchy org Retrieved 2023 08 26 Rinunce e nomine press vatican va Retrieved 3 August 2023 Bing Microsoft Translator www bing com Retrieved 3 August 2023 Bishop J Douglas Deshotel Roman Catholic Diocese of Lafayette Louisiana Retrieved 2022 10 13 Rev Gilbert J Gauthe Assignment www bishopaccountability org Retrieved 2017 07 10 Radio Minnesota Public It all began in Lafayette Betrayed by Silence Chapter One Minnesota Public Radio News Retrieved 2017 07 10 a b Jason Berry The Tragedy of Gilbert Gauthe Part I www bishop accountability org Retrieved 2023 08 26 Jason Berry Anatomy of a Cover Up Gauthe Fontenot Limoges Engbers Hebert www bishop accountability org Retrieved 2023 08 26 Ronald Lane Fontenot KATC News 2019 01 14 Retrieved 2023 08 26 Ap 1985 10 15 EX PASTOR GIVEN 20 YEAR SENTENCE The New York Times ISSN 0362 4331 Retrieved 2023 08 26 Church abuse case haunts lawyer who defended priest USA TODAY Retrieved 2017 07 10 Records reveal new info in priest child abuse case by Billy Gunn And Richard Burgess Advocate September 7 2014 www bishop accountability org Retrieved 2023 08 26 Gunn Billy Burgess Robert 10 September 2014 Documents shed light on old scandal The Advocate Retrieved 31 May 2021 Taylor Claire From the Archives Bishop Abusive priests names won t be revealed The Daily Advertiser Retrieved 2021 11 23 McElfresh Amanda Former Acadiana priest pleads guilty to child porn charges The Daily Advertiser Retrieved 2023 08 26 Former Louisiana Priest Pleads Guilty to Child Molestation US News amp World Report 29 March 2019 Retrieved 3 August 2023 South Louisiana priest arrested for molesting 16 year old boy WGNO 14 June 2018 MYERS BEN 30 April 2019 Former Lafayette Diocese priest Michael Guidry sentenced to 7 years for abusing altar boy The Advocate Schmall Emily 24 March 2024 Former Deacon Excommunicated After His Son Is Sexually Abused by a Priest The New York Times TAYLOR CLAIRE 10 April 2019 Lafayette diocese to release clergy abuse list Friday 33 priests 4 deacons to be named The Advocate Doyle Anne Barrett 2021 05 10 Lafayette Diocese Allegations against former priest Michael Guidry credible formally apologizes to victim and family BishopAccountability org Retrieved 2023 08 26 Gunn Billy Diocese of Lafayette announces new bishop the Most Rev J Douglas Deshotel The Advocate Retrieved 2017 07 10 External links editRoman Catholic Diocese of Lafayette in Louisiana Official Site Brief description of the Cathedral of St John the Evangelist Archived 2006 05 08 at the Wayback Machine Photos of the Cathedral of St John the Evangelist 30 12 50 N 92 01 46 W 30 21389 N 92 02944 W 30 21389 92 02944 Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Roman Catholic Diocese of Lafayette in Louisiana amp oldid 1215490989, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,

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