Diocese of Alexandria ACCUSED PRIESTS
The Diocese of Alexandria includes the following parishes: Avoyelles, Rapides, Vernon, Natchitoches, Winn, Caldwell, Madison, Franklin, Tensas, Concordia, Catahoula, Lasalle, and Grant. In February 2019, the Diocese released the names of 27 priests incardinated within the widespread religious institution deemed “credibly accused” of sexually abusing children based on written allegations. The list of more than two dozen names includes priests assigned to the Shreveport area, which had a place within the Diocese until 1986.
The list consists of the following priests: Raymond M. Jones, Donald Rogers, Victor Sepsi, Gielse Boyer, Nino Viviano, Theodore Lelieveld, Yves Robitaille, Adrian Molenschot, Frederick Lyons, Edward Terry Allen, John Wesley Andries, William Allison, William Cody Bressler, Paul Conway, Francis O. Couvillion, Francis Patrick Donohoe, Harvey Fortier, John Franklin, Robert Friend, Edmund Gagne, Moise Richard Gremillion, Michael G. Hannon, Kenneth Matthews, H. Clinton Teacle, Joseph Tisch, Leger Tremblay, and Leo Van Hoorn.
The Diocese also listed Gilbert Gauthe, noting that he was incardinated in another diocese but accused of sexually abusing minors while in the Diocese of Alexandria. Finally, the Diocese listed the following priests “accused of sexual misconduct with minors while serving in the Diocese of Alexandria”: Charles Dekeukelare, Norman Rogge, Louis Senesac, and Antonio Valez-Lopez.
One of the most widely known priests accused of sexual abuse in the Diocese was Reverend Frederick James Lyons. In 2013, after his victims accused him of sexually abusing minors, the church investigated and sentenced him to a life of prayer and penance and stripped him of his priestly duties.
In June 2019, the Diocese added three more names to the list: Adrian Molenschot, Nino Viviano, and Yves Robitaille. All three priests worked in Avoyelles Parish and faced the following accusations:
- Adrian Molenschot served as a pastor of St. Martin of Tours in Belledeau for decades. In February 2019, the church received an allegation that he sexually abused male minors dating back to the 1960s. Molenschot died in 1994.
- Nino Viviano presumably sexually abused a female minor in the 1960s. Despite the alleged abuse happening decades earlier, the Diocese didn’t receive the allegations until February 2019. When his name hit the list, he lived in a nursing home in Florida, and his dementia prevented him from participating in the allegations against him.
- The third priest, Yves Robitaille, served at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Marksville and St. Paul in Mansura. In March 2019, the church received reports that he sexually abused a male minor dating back to the mid-1950s. He died in 1998.
In September 2019, the Diocese added Theodore Lelieveld to the list after he faced credible accusations of committing sexual abuse of minors in the mid-1960s. Lelieveld was murdered in a church rectory in Claiborne Parish in 1976 at the age of 50. The murderer, who shot and killed Lelieveld while standing at the rectory’s front door, was later convicted and sentenced for the crime.
The Diocese of Alexandria declined to release the names of the parishes the priests were assigned to, asserting they were trying to protect parishioners in those parishes. However, several parishioners expressed anger over the Diocese’s refusal to provide the pertinent information. The parishioners argued that the Diocese’s failure to provide such vital details didn’t help stop the abuse when the places where abusive priests worked and abuse happened remained hidden.
Unlike the Diocese of Alexandria, other dioceses in Louisiana included the names of the parishes where the abusive priests worked to prevent further harm. However, the Diocese of Alexandria did disclose other information, including the victims’ ages and genders and whether diocesan boards held hearings in response to the allegations. The Diocese also revealed whether it paid settlements to victims, but it didn’t disclose amounts of such payouts.
As of June 2021, the Lousiana Legislature put an end to the statute of limitations (or time restriction) to file child sex abuse lawsuits to pursue compensation for your injuries and emotional suffering in civil court. Legislators passed House Bill 492 to help victims pursue justice and receive closure for the crimes committed against them, according to Rep. Jason Hughes, D-New Orleans.
The bill not only replaces dated and stringent filing restrictions for child sexual abuse survivors but also provides a three-year look-book window. This window extends to all child victims now in adulthood past the previously barred age of 28, giving them a new opportunity to seek civil justice.
No matter how long ago the abuse happened or how old you currently are, Louisiana law entitles you to seek civil justice for your suffering. If you or someone you love experienced child sex abuse at the Diocese of Alexandria, contact the lawyers at Herman Law today for a free consultation. Act quickly to take advantage of the look-back window.
A: Diocesan Clergy – Living
• Review of Deacon Raymond Jones’ file in 2019 showed evidence of sexual misconduct and abuse of a male minor dating from 1982.
• Deacon Jones was suspended from active ministry when the allegation was made known in 1986.
• His scheduled ordination to the priesthood was cancelled in light of the evidence and he was encouraged to seek laicization by Bishop Friend.
• He subsequently left the diocese.
• The evidence was presented to the Permanent Review Board in 2019 and the allegation was deemed credible.
• An allegation of sexual misconduct and abuse of a male minor dating back to 1962 was brought before the Permanent Review Board in 2004.
• Fr. Rogers was removed from active ministry in 1967.
• Fr. Rogers was laicized in 1974.
• Review of Fr. Rogers’ file in 2019 showed evidence of multiple allegations of sexual misconduct and abuse of minors.
• The evidence was presented to the Permanent Review Board in 2019 and the allegations were deemed credible.
• Fr. Rogers was born in 1930 and would be 88 at the time of this letter. His whereabouts are unknown.
• Review of Fr. Sepsi’s file in 2019 showed evidence of multiple allegations of sexual misconduct and abuse of male minors dating back to the 1960s.
• Fr. Sepsi left the diocese and active ministry in 1967.
• The evidence was presented to the Permanent Review Board in 2019 and the allegations were deemed credible.
• Fr. Sepsi was born in 1930 and would be 88 at the time of this letter. His whereabouts are unknown.
B: Diocesan Clergy – Deceased
- An allegation of sexual misconduct and abuse of a male minor dating back to the mid-1970s was reported to the Diocese of Alexandria on February 6, 2019.
- Fr. Boyer died on May 29, 1988 at the age of 60.
- The evidence was presented to the Permanent Review Board in January 7, 2020 and the allegations were deemed credible.
- An allegation of sexual misconduct and abuse of a female minor dating back to the early 1960s was reported to the Diocese of Alexandria in February 2019.
- Fr. Viviano died on February 27, 2020 at the age of 91. He retired in 1998 and his facilities for ministry were not extended to him since that time. Fr. Viviano is currently suffering from the advanced stages of dementia and was not capable of participating in the review of this most recent allegation.
- The evidence was presented to the Permanent Review Board in May 2019 and the allegation was deemed credible.
- An allegation of sexual misconduct and abuse of male minors dating back to the mid-1960s was reported to the Diocese of Alexandria in August 2019.
- Fr. Lelieveld died on October 21, 1976 at the age of 50.
- The evidence was presented to the Permanent Review Board in August 2019 and the allegations were deemed credible.
- An allegation of sexual misconduct and abuse of a male minor dating back to the mid-1950s was reported to the Diocese of Alexandria in March 2019.
- Fr. Robitaille retired in May 1990 and died on July 27, 1998 at the age of 72.
- The evidence was presented to the Permanent Review Board in June 2019 and the allegation was deemed credible
- Allegations of sexual misconduct and abuse of male minors dating back to the 1960s were reported to the Diocese of Alexandria in February 2019.
- Fr. Molenschot died in December 1994
- The evidence was presented to the Permanent Review Board in May 2019 and the allegations were deemed credible.
• Multiple allegations of sexual misconduct and abuse of male minors dating back to the 1960s were brought before the Permanent Review Board in 2005 and 2006.
• Fr. Lyons was removed from active ministry in 2006.
• Fr. Lyons died on March 13, 2019.
• The allegations were deemed credible.
• After completion of the investigation, Fr. Lyons’ case was referred to the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith in Rome and ecclesiastical penalties were imposed in 2013.
• An allegation of sexual misconduct and abuse of a male minor dating back to 1973 was brought before the Permanent Review Board in 2005.
• The accusation was deemed credible.
• Fr. Allen resigned from active ministry in 2005.
• A settlement was made with the victim in 2012.
• Fr. Allen died in 2018.
• Multiple allegations of sexual misconduct and abuse of male minors dating back to the 2000s were brought before the Permanent Review Board in 2003 and Fr. Andries was removed from active ministry.
• The allegations were deemed credible.
• Civil charges were brought and Fr. Andries was convicted and sentenced.
• After completion of the investigation, Fr. Andries’ case was referred to the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith in Rome and Fr. Andries was laicized in 2007.
• John Andries died in 2013.
• An allegation of sexual misconduct and abuse of a male minor dating back to 1961 was brought before the Permanent Review Board in 2004.
• Fr. Allison died in 1986.
• Review of Fr. Allison’s file in 2019 showed evidence corroborating the allegation.
• The evidence was presented to the Permanent Review Board in 2019 and the allegation were deemed credible.
• Multiple allegations of sexual misconduct and abuse of male and female minors dating back to the 1960s were brought before the Permanent Review Board in 2004 and again in 2005 and were deemed credible.
• Fr. Bressler died in 1990.
• Settlements were made with the victims in 2006 and 2017.
• Review of Fr. Bresslers’ file in 2019 showed evidence corroborating the allegations.
• The evidence was presented to the Permanent Review Board in 2019 and the allegations were deemed credible.
• Allegations of sexual misconduct and abuse of female minors dating back to 1956 was brought before the Permanent Review Board in 2004 and after investigation the allegations were deemed credible.
• Msgr. Conway died 1996.
• Settlements were paid to the victims in 2005 and in 2017.
• Review of Fr. Couvillion’s file in 2019 revealed multiple allegations of sexual misconduct and abuse of male minors dating back to the 1950s.
• Fr. Couvillion died in 1978.
• The evidence was presented to the Permanent Review Board in 2019 and the allegations were deemed credible.
• Former Capuchin friar, incardinated in the Diocese of Alexandria by Bishop Desmond in 1942.
• Review of Fr. Donohoe’s file in 2019 showed evidence of multiple allegations of sexual misconduct and abuse of male minors dating from the 1960s.
• Bishop Greco asked for and received Fr. Donohoe’s resignation as pastor and he was removed from active ministry in 1966.
• Fr. Donohoe died in 1983.
• This evidence was presented to the Permanent Review Board in 2019 and the allegations were deemed credible.
• Review of Fr. Fortier’s file in 2019 revealed an allegation of sexual misconduct and abuse of a male minor dating back to 1954.
• An allegation was made of sexual misconduct and abuse of a male minor in 1994.
• The allegation was deemed credible.
• A settlement was made with the victim in 1995.
• Fr. Fortier died in 1999.
• The evidence was presented to the Permanent Review Board in 2019 and the allegations were deemed credible.
• An allegation of sexual misconduct and abuse of a male minor dating back to 1966 was brought before the Permanent Review Board in 2004 and after investigation, the allegations were deemed credible. A settlement was made with the victim in 2005.
• Fr. Franklin left the diocese in 1973.
• Fr. Franklin died in Alabama in 1986.
• Review of Fr. Franklin’s file in 2019 showed further evidence of sexual misconduct and abuse of male minors.
• The evidence was presented to the Permanent Review Board in 2019 and the allegations were deemed credible.
• An allegation of sexual misconduct and abuse of a male minor dating back to 1954 was brought before the Permanent Review Board in 2004.
• Msgr. Friend died 1977.
• The allegation was deemed credible and a settlement was made with the victim in 2005.
• Review of Fr. Gagné’s file in 2019 showed evidence of multiple allegations of sexual misconduct and abuse of male minors dating back to the 1980s.
• Fr. Gagné was removed from public ministry in 1986.
• Fr. Gagné died in 1990.
• The evidence was presented to the Permanent Review Board in 2019 and the allegations were deemed credible.
• Review of Fr. Gremillion’s file in 2019 revealed multiple allegations of sexual misconduct and abuse of male minors dating from the 1960s.
• Fr. Gremillion retired from active ministry in 1969.
• Fr. Gremillion died in 1973.
• This evidence was presented to the Permanent Review Board in 2019 and the allegations were deemed credible.
• Review of Fr. Hannon’s file in 2019 showed evidence of multiple allegations of sexual misconduct and abuse of male minors dating from the 1960s.
• Fr. Hannon left the diocese in 1963.
• Fr. Hannon was incardinated in the Diocese of Brooklyn in New York in 1982.
• Fr. Hannon died in 2000.
• The evidence was presented to the Permanent Review Board in 2019 and the allegations were deemed credible.
• Review of Fr. Mathews’ file in 2019 showed evidence of multiple allegations of sexual misconduct and abuse of male minors dating back to the 1980s.
• Fr. Mathews left active ministry on a leave of absence in 1998.
• Fr. Mathews died in 2008.
• The evidence was presented to the Permanent Review Board in 2019 and the allegations were deemed credible.
• Allegations of sexual misconduct and abuse of male minors dating back to the 1960s were brought before the Permanent Review Board in 2009.
• Msgr. Teacle died in 1969.
• Review of Msgr. Teacle’s file in 2019 showed further evidence of sexual misconduct and abuse of male minors.
• The evidence was presented to the Permanent Review Board in 2019 and the allegations were deemed credible.
• An allegation of sexual misconduct and abuse of a male minor dating back to 1967 was brought before the Permanent Review Board in 2014.
• Fr. Tisch left the diocese and active ministry in 1968.
• Joseph Tisch died in 2007 publically separated from the Church.
• Review of Fr. Tisch’s file in 2019 showed further evidence of sexual misconduct and abuse of male minors.
• The evidence was presented to the Permanent Review Board in 2019 and the allegations were deemed credible.
• Allegations of sexual misconduct and abuse of male minors dating back to the 1950s and 1960s were brought before the Permanent Review Board in 2003 and again in 2005.
• Fr. Tremblay died in 2002.
• Settlements were made in 2004 and in 2005.
• Review of Fr. Tremblay’s file in 2019 showed further evidence of sexual misconduct and abuse of male minors.
• The evidence was presented to the Permanent Review Board in 2019 and the allegations were deemed credible.
• An allegation of sexual misconduct and abuse of a male minor dating back to 1967 was brought before the Permanent Review Board in 2006.
• Fr. Van Hoorn was suspended from active ministry by Bishop Graves in 1979.
• Fr. Van Hoorn died in 2006.
• Review of Fr. Van Hoorn’s file in 2019 showed further evidence of another allegation of sexual misconduct and abuse of a male minor.
• The evidence was presented to the Permanent Review Board in 2019 and the allegations were deemed credible.
C: The following name is that of a Diocesan priest, incardinated in another diocese accused of sexual misconduct while serving in the Diocese of Alexandria:
• Priest of the Diocese of Lafayette in Louisiana
• Allegations of sexual misconduct and abuse of male minors dating from the 1970s were brought before the Permanent Review Board in 2004.
• Fr. Gauthe was tried and convicted for similar offenses in Lafayette.
• The allegations were presented to the Permanent Review Board in 2019 and the allegations were deemed credible.
D: The following names are those of religious priests, living and deceased, accused of sexual misconduct with minors while serving in the Diocese of Alexandria:
• A priest of the Congregation of the Immaculate Heart of Mary.
• Review of Fr. Dekeukelare’s file in 2019 showed evidence of an allegation of sexual misconduct and abuse of a male minor dating back to 1982.
• Fr. Dekeukelare was removed from public ministry. He pled guilty to and was prosecuted for Indecent Behavior with a Juvenile in Avoyelles Parish in 1982.
• The evidence was present to the Permanent Review Board in 2019 and the allegations were deemed credible.
• A priest of the Society of Jesus.
• Review of Fr. Rogge’s file in 2019 showed evidence of an allegation of sexual misconduct and abuse of a male minor dating back to 1985.
• Fr. Rogge was arrested on a charge of Sexual Battery of a male minor in Florida.
• He was sentenced in Florida on a charge of Lewd Conduct in the Presence of a Minor in 1985.
• Fr. Rogge died in 2009.
• The evidence was presented to the Permanent Review Board in 2019 and the allegations were deemed credible.
• A priest of the Clerics of Saint Viator.
• Review of Fr. Senesac’s file in 2019 showed evidence of an allegation of sexual misconduct and abuse of a male minor dating back to 1945.
• Fr. Senesac was removed from active ministry in the diocese.
• Fr. Senesac died in 1966.
• The evidence was presented to the Permanent Review Board in 2019 and the allegation was deemed credible.
• A priest of the Congregation of Capuchin Religious Tertiaries of Our Lady of Sorrows.
• An allegation of sexual misconduct and abuse of a female minor dating back to 2006 was brought to the attention of the Archdiocese of Baltimore in 2009 where the abuse took place.
• The Diocese of Alexandria was informed of the investigation by the Archdiocese of Baltimore in 2016 and Fr. Valez-Lopez was removed from public ministry in the Diocese of Alexandria.
• The Archdiocese of Baltimore initiated proceedings and Fr. Valez-Lopez’s case was sent to the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith in Rome.
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