Diocese of Lafayette ACCUSED PRIESTS
The Roman Catholic Diocese of Lafayette includes the parishes of St. Landry, Evangeline, Lafayette, St. Martin, Iberia, St. Mary, Acadia, and Vermillion. The Diocese consists of Cajun, Louisiana. Like many other dioceses throughout the world, the Diocese of Lafayette has been the subject of many allegations of child sexual abuse by priests. As of 2004, the Diocese paid out about $26 million to settle claims with 123 victims that priests abused between 1950 and 2002.
In April 2019, after initially refusing to release names, the Diocese released a list of 33 priests and four deacons credibly accused of sexual abuse. The Diocese named the following priests and deacons: Joseph Alexander, Jules Arceneaux, Susai Arul, Stanley Begnaud, Michael Benedict, David Broussard, J. Richard Chachere, David Anderson Coupar, Hebert de Launay, John deLeeuw, Michael DesJardins, John Anthony Engbers, Ronald Lane Fontenot, Gilbert John Gauthe, Aldeo Fernand Gilbert, Michael Guidry, Lloyd Hebert, Michael Herpin, Marshall Larrivere, Robert Limoges, Keith Anthony Potier, David Primeaux, Valerie Pullman, Harry Quick, Richard Riebolt, Robie Robichaux, Jody Simoneaux, Gerard Smit, Jean Touissaint, Adrian Walter Van Hal, Cornelius Van Merrianboer, Rosaire Veilleux, Charles Zaunbrecher, Lester Breaux, Willis Broussard, Leonard J. Freyou, and Louis Hanemann.Â
However, the list did not include nuns or religious order priests and lacked details about the alleged abuse, such as when or where it happened. Â
The most widely publicized case of sexual abuse by a priest in the Diocese involved former Priest Gilbert Gauthe. Gauthe served in the Diocese of Lafayette from 1972 to 1983, and he was the first priest in the US to be tried criminally for child sexual abuse. Gauthe admitted to sodomizing and raping 37 children, beginning in 1972. Gauthe served 20 years in prison, was released early, and was later arrested for sexually abusing a child in Texas.Â
In early 2021, a Louisiana state appellate court ruled that the Diocese was required to provide information to a woman who filed a lawsuit alleging sexual abuse by a priest. The information sought related to whether the victim initiated the lawsuit within the state’s deadline to file such claims. The woman, suing as “TM Doe,” claimed in the case that Monsignor Robie Robichaux sexually abused her when she was 16 years old at St. Peter’s Catholic Church in New Iberia. According to the victim, she sought counseling from the priest and, after the second visit, Robichaux took her into his bedroom, where he told her God wanted him to have intimacy and she was God’s gift to him.Â
Robichaux sexually abused the victim for the next two years. The child survivor reported the abuse to then-Bishop Harry Flynn in the early 1990s. Flynn agreed to pay for the victim’s therapy costs for up to five years if she would sign a document stating that the payment was not an admission of the Church’s guilt. The woman refused to do so. A church vicar later told her she needed to get over what happened to her.Â
The victim again reported the abuse about ten years later after the Church implemented a zero-tolerance policy for sexual abuse by priests. Rather than disciplining Robichaux, the Church transferred him and then later promoted him. When the victim reported the abuse for the third time, church officials told her they lost her file. However, the Diocesan Review Board investigated and found the allegations credible and finally removed Robichaux in 2018.Â
In response to the victim’s civil lawsuit, the Church argued that the court should bar the victim from bringing her claim because many years had passed since the abuse.
As recently as June 2021, the Diocese placed a deacon on leave following allegations of child sex abuse that occurred decades ago. Newly ordained as a deacon, Shawn Jude Gautreaux gained assignment to St. Bernard Catholic Church in Breaux Bridge. The Diocese reported the allegations to law enforcement.Â
Due to varied responses when reporting instances of child sexual abuse happening within the Church and the fear, shame, and confusion that follows the invasive harm, many victims wait years to speak up about the abuse. New Orleans Representative Jason Hughes pointed to research showing that the average age of disclosure of child sex abuse is 52.Â
Hughes sponsored House Bill 492, passed by the Louisiana Legislature in June 2021, which sets aside the statute of limitations for ongoing civil claims of child sexual abuse and provides a look-back window for survivors who previously lost their chance to seek compensation for their injuries and suffering. The window commences on August 1, 2021, and continues for three years, during which time child sex abuse survivors of any age can file for civil damages, regardless of how long ago the abuse happened.Â
Don’t forgo any more time. If you or someone you love suffered harm at the Diocese of Lafayette, contact the sexual abuse lawyers at Herman Law today for a free consultation. We want to help you seek the justice you deserve.Â
See who is on the Diocese of Lafayette’s list of credibly accused clergy
Year born: 1933
Year ordained: 1973
Assignments
- St. Mark Priory, Union, Kentucky
- Our Lady of Wisdom, Lafayette
- Holy Rosary Institute, Lafayette
- St. Thomas More High School, Lafayette
- St. Anthony of Padua, Eunice
Status: removed, 2002
Year born: 1953
Year ordained: 1990
Assignments
- Our Lady of the Sacred Heart, Church Point
- St. Thomas More, Eunice
- St. Joseph, Rayne
- St. Francis Regis and St. Catherine, Arnaudville
Status: removed, 2004
Year born: 1928
Year ordained: 1957
Assignments
- Sacred Heart of Jesus, Ville Platte
- St. Catherine, Leonville
- St. Jules, Prairie Laurent
- St. Leo the Great, Lafayette
Status: resigned, 1988; deceased, 2002
Year born: 1921
Year ordained: 1958
AssignmentsÂ
- St. Peter the Apostle, Gueydan
- St. Joseph, Rayne
- Our Lady of Perpetual Help, New Iberia
- St. Stephen, Berwick
- Our Lady of Fatima, Lafayette
- Our Lady of Mercy, Opelousas
- St. Margaret of Scotland, Lake Charles
- St. Edward, Richard, and St. Thomas, Savoy Sts. Peter and Paul, Scott
- St. Leo IV, Roberts Cove
- Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist, Lafayette
Status: retired, 1982; deceased, 1985
Year born: 1915
Year ordained: 1943
Assignments
- Immaculate Conception, Lake Charles
- St. Mary Magdalen, Abbeville
- Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist, Lafayette
- Our Lady of Fatima, Lafayette
- Sacred Heart of Jesus, Oakdale
- St. Margaret of Scotland, Lake Charles
- St. Peter, New Iberia
- Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mire
- Most Holy Sacrament Convent, Lafayette
Status: retired, 1979; deceased, 1998
Year born: 1966
Year ordained: 1993
Assignments
- St. Mary Magdalen, Abbeville
- Our Lady of Mercy, Opelousas
- St. Joseph, Iota and St. Michael, Egan
- Our Lady of the Holy Rosary, Kaplan
- St. Joseph, Evangeline, and St. Jules, Petit Mamou
- St. Bernard, Breaux Bridge
Status: removed, 2016; pleaded guilty in 2018; incarcerated
Year born: 1940
Year ordained: 1965
Assignments
- Our Lady Queen of Heaven, Lake Charles
- St. Mary Magdalen, Abbeville
- St. Anne, Youngsville
Status: resigned, 1978; deceased, 2012
Year born: 1952
Year ordained: 1980
Assignments
- Our Lady of Perpetual Help, New Iberia
- St. Therese of the Child Jesus, Abbeville
- St. Leo the Great, Leonville
- St. Anthony of Padua, Krotz Springs
- Our Lady of Victory, Loreauville
- Catholic High, New Iberia
- Our Lady of Perpetual Help, Leroy
Status: resigned, 1994
Year born: 1948
Year ordained: 1975
Assignments
- Our Lady of the Holy Rosary, Kaplan
- Our Lady Queen of All Saints, Ville Platte
- Our Lady of Sacred Heart, Church Point
- St. John the Baptist, Lyons Point
- American Legion Hospital, Crowley
- St. Ann, Mamou
- Our Lady of Holy Rosary, Kaplan
- St. Andrew, Plaisance
- St. Peter, Carencro
- Our Lady of Perpetual Help, New Iberia
- St. Bernadette, Bayou Vista
Status: removed, 1999
Year born: 1918
Year ordained: 1944
Assignments
- St. Martin de Tours, St. Martinville
- St. Genevieve, Lafayette
- St. Jules, Lafayette
- Charity Hospital, Lafayette
- St. Eugene, Grand Chenier
- St. Leo the Great, Lafayette
Status: retired, 1986; removed, 2011; deceased, 2015
Year born: 1950
Year ordained: 1976
Assignments
- Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist, Lafayette
- St. Landry, Opelousas
- St. Mary, Port Barre
- Sts. Peter and Paul, Scott
- St. Martin de Porres, Scott
- St. Bridget, Lawtell
- St. Anthony of Padua, Eunice
Status: resigned, 1992
Year born: 1922
Year ordained: 1949
Assignments
- St. Peter, New Iberia
- Immaculate Conception, Lake Charles
- Our Lady of the Lake, Lake Arthur
- St. Anthony of Padua, Eunice
- St. Helena, Louisa
- St. Peter the Apostle, Gueydan
- St. John the Evangelist, Mermentau
- Our Lady of Perpetual Help, Leroy
Status: deceased, 1989
Year born: 1946
Year ordained: 1975
Assignments
- St. Peter the Apostle, Gueydan
- Our Lady of Perpetual Help, New Iberia
- Our Lady of Mercy, Opelousas
- Sacred Heart of Jesus, Baldwin
- Our Lady of Fatima, Lafayette
Status: removed, 1984; resigned, 1984; deceased, 2014
Year born: 1945
Year ordained: 1971
AssignmentsÂ
- St. Michael the Archangel, Crowley
- Sacred Heart of Jesus, Broussard
- Our Lady of Perpetual Help, New Iberia
- St. Mary Magdalen, Abbeville
- St. John, Henry
Status: removed, 1983; resigned, 1983; convicted, 1985
Year born: 1917
Year ordained: 1943
AssignmentsÂ
- St. Michael the Archangel, Crowley
- Sacred Heart of Jesus, Ville Platte
- St. Therese of the Child Jesus, Abbeville
Status: resigned, 1968; deceased, 2007
Year born: 1943
Year ordained: 1971
AssignmentsÂ
- Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist, Lafayette
- Our Lady of Fatima, Lafayette
- Sts. Peter and Paul, Scott
- St. Martin De Porres, Scott
- Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist, Lafayette
- St. Joseph, Evangeline and St. Jules, Petit Mamou
- St. John, Mermentau and St. Margaret, Estherwood
- Our Lady of the Sacred Heart, Church Point
- St. Anthony of Padua, Krotz Springs
- St. Joseph, Patterson
- St. Jules, Franklin
- Sacred Heart of Jesus, Baldwin
- Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Franklin
- Our Lady of Perpetual Help, New Iberia
- St. Leo the Great, Lafayette
- St. Peter, Morrow
Status: removed, 2018; convicted 2019
Year born: 1928
Year ordained: 1957
Assignments
- St. Margaret of Scotland, Lake Charles
- St. Peter the Apostle, Gueydan
- St. Peter, New Iberia
- St. Mary of the Lake, Big Lake
- Our Lady Queen of Angels, Opelousas
Status: removed, 1985; deceased, 2004
Year born: 1941
Year ordained: 1966
AssignmentsÂ
- St. Raphael, lowa
- St. Landry, Opelousas
- Immaculate Conception, Lake Charles
- Our Lady Help of Christians, Jennings
- St. Paul, Elton
- St. Joseph, Elton
- Our Lady of Perpetual Help, New Iberia
- Sacred Heart of Jesus, Broussard
- Our Lady of Mercy, Henderson
- St. Joseph, Milton
Status: removed, 2002
Year born: 1937
Year ordained: 1963
AssignmentsÂ
- St. Mary Magdalen, Abbeville
- Leave — Studies for Deaf Chaplaincy
- Leave — Chaplain in U.S. Armed Services
Status: removed, 1994; deceased, 2014
Accordion Content
Year born: 1930
Year ordained: 1979
Assignments
- St. Anthony of Padua, Eunice
- Our Lady of Victory, Loreauville
Status: leave, 1984; removed, 1984
Year born: 1947
Year ordained: 1973
AssignmentsÂ
- St. Therese of the Child Jesus, Abbeville
- Our Lady of Holy Rosary, Kaplan
- Our Lady Queen of Heaven, Lake Charles
- Our Lady of Victory, Loreauville
Status: resigned, 1981; deceased, 2009
Year born: 1950
Year ordained: 1975
Assignments
- Sts. Peter and Paul, Scott
- Our Lady of Fatima, Lafayette
- Immaculata Seminary, Lafayette
- Chancery, Lafayette
- Sacred Heart of Jesus, Broussard
- Our Lady of Wisdom, Lafayette
- St. Joseph, Milton
Status: removed, 1985; resigned, 1985; deceased, 2012
Year born: 1940
Year ordained: 1965
AssignmentsÂ
- Our Lady of the Lake, Lake Arthur
- St. Joseph, Elton
- Our Lady Queen of Peace, Lafayette
- Our Lady of the Assumption, Carencro
- St. Martin de Porres, Scott
- Lake Charles Diocese
Status: removed, 1987; resigned, 1987; deceased, 2017
Year born: 1929
Year ordained: 1962
Assignments
- St. Henry, Lake Charles
- Our Lady Help of Christians, Jennings
- St. Joseph, Evangeline
- St. Thomas More, Eunice
- St. Theresa of the Child Jesus, Duson
- Charity Hospital, Lafayette
Status: removed, 1983; resigned, 1983; deceased, 1994
Richard Rieboldt
Year born: 1945
Year ordained: 1975
AssignmentsÂ
- Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist, Lafayette
- Our Lady of Fatima, Lafayette
- St. Bernard, Breaux Bridge
- St. Michael the Archangel, Crowley
- St. Jules, Lafayette
- St. John the Baptist, Lyons Point
Status: resigned, 1985; removed 1989
Year born: 1950
Year ordained: 1976
AssignmentsÂ
- St. Peter, New Iberia
- St. Therese of the Child Jesus, Abbeville
- St. Genevieve, Lafayette
- St. Peter, New Iberia
- St. Joseph, Iota
- St. Jules, Petit Mamou
- Sacred Heart of Jesus, Broussard
- St. Edmond, Lafayette
- St. Patrick, Lafayette
- St. Mary Mother of the Church, Lafayette
- St. Leo the Great, Lafayette
Status: removed, 2018
Year born: 1955
Year ordained: 1982
Assignments
- St. Anthony of Padua, Eunice
- St. Anne, Youngsville
- St. Genevieve, Lafayette
- St. John the Evangelist, Jeanerette
Status: removed, 2018
Year born: 1924
Year ordained: 1950
Assignments
- St. Joseph, Iota
- Our Lady Queen of Heaven, Lake Charles
- St. Anne, Youngsville
- Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Bosco (Mire)
- Our Lady of Mount Carmel, Chataignier
- Our Lady of Queen of Heaven, Lake Charles
- St. John Berchmans, Cankton
- Our Lady of the Lake, Lake Arthur
- St. Raphael, Iowa
Status: retired, 1986; removed 2002
Year born: 1910
Year ordained: 1934
Assignments
- St. Julien Chapel, Chataignier
- St. Joseph, Ville Platte and Little Flower, Pins Clairs
- St. Mary, Port Barre
- Holy Trinity, Washington
Status: deceased, 1977
Accordion Contenta
Year born: 1912
Year ordained: 1937
Assignments
- St. Genevieve, Lafayette
- Lake Arthur
- Evangeline
- Cameron (Creole?)
- St. John the Evangelist, Melville
- Chaplain, U.S. Army
- St. John the Evangelist, Jeanerette
- Our Lady Queen of Heaven, Lake Charles
- Our Lady of Mercy, Opelousas
Status: deceased, 1970
Year born: 1898
Year ordained: 1924
AssignmentsÂ
- Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, Lake Charles
- Sacred Heart of Jesus, Creole
- St. John the Evangelist, Mermentau
Status: resigned, 1933; deceased, 1960
Rosaire Veilleux
Year born: 1930
Year ordained: 1958
Assignments
- St. Anne, Youngsville
- Our Lady of the Sacred Heart, Church Point
- St. Peter, Carencro
- St. Genevieve, Lafayette St. John Vianney, Bell City
Status: resigned, 1973; deceased, 1986
Year born: 1931
Year ordained: 1957
Assignments
- Our Lady of the Holy Rosary, Kaplan
- St. Anthony of Padua, Eunice
- Our Lady of Fatima, Lafayette
- St. Mary Magdalen, Abbeville
- St. Jules, Lafayette
- St. Michael the Archangel, Crowley
- St. Edward, Richard
- St. Leo IV, Roberts Cove
- St. Joseph, Iota
- St. John the Baptist, Lyons Point
- St. Joseph, Milton
- Little Flower, Mobile, Alabama
Status: retired, 1995; deceased, 1996
Year born: 1920
Year ordained: 1977
Assignments
- St Peter, Carencro
Status: resigned, 1984; deceased, 1996
Year born: 1927
Year ordained: 1977
AssignmentsÂ
- St John the Evangelist, Mermentau
Status: resigned, 1990
Year born: 1926
Year ordained: 1977
Assignments
- St Nicholas, Lydia
Status: deceased, 2006
Year born: 1948Â
Year ordained: 1983
AssignmentsÂ
- St Genevieve, Lafayette
- Diocese of Raleigh, North Carolina
Status: left, 1986; removed 2002
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