For decades, the dioceses of various Catholic Churches worldwide have covered up instances of child sexual abuse happening within the walls of their religious institutions. However, once these institutions faced exposure for the systemic abuse they allowed to persist, many victims came forward to file credible allegations against clergy members who abused them as children.
In February 2013, victims filed a civil lawsuit against the Diocese of Lake Charles and Archdiocese of New Orleans after the state indicted one of their priests on 10 counts of child sex abuse charges. The priest resigned from the ministry in 1994, but the lawsuit sought millions of dollars in damages for his victims.
Ultimately, the court sentenced the priest to prison for the child sex charges, and he is now serving two life sentences plus fifty years. Unfortunately, this priest is likely not the only abuser in these dioceses, as many times, the Church allows abusers to switch locations as part of the dioceses’ attempt to cover up child sexual abuse to save its reputation.
In April 2019, the Diocese of Lake Charles released a list of clergy who had credible accusations of sexual abuse brought against them. The list included a dozen names, eleven of which were priests and one of whom was a member of a religious order. According to the Diocese, eight were already deceased of the priests, eight were already deceased, two were in prison, and one lived in Pennsylvania to serve out a sentence of a life of prayer and penance.
A review board made up of a former judge, former sheriff, and an attorney with access to the Diocese’s archives compiled the list, which they then published and made available to the public in an effort to promote transparency between the Diocese and the rest of the population.
The Diocese of Lake Charles created the Office of Child and Youth Protection to provide education and training to prevent the abuse of children by others in the Diocese. The program also runs background checks on all clergy, employees, and volunteers who have contact with children and teens. Additionally, the organization receives complaints regarding the abuse of children in the Diocese of Lake Charles.
The Office of Child and Youth Protection’s page on the Diocese’s website also includes information on mandatory reporting of child sexual abuse allegations to local law enforcement and the Vicar General of the Diocese of Lake Charles. Finally, the page contains instructions on reporting allegations of sexual abuse of a minor to someone within the Diocese of Lake Charles.
In June 2021, lawmakers passed new legislation in Louisiana, removing deadlines for victims of child sex abuse to file claims in civil court. The new law will take effect on August 1, 2021, and provides a three-year window for any unresolved child sex abuse claims to receive another chance in civil court instead of the 28th birthday deadline that was in place until now. This law allows victims of child sex abuse to file claims against their abuser between August 1, 2021, and August 1, 2024, regardless of age, when the abuse occurred, and whether the statute of limitations previously expired barring your claim.
With the new legislation in place soon, you can now contact a sexual abuse attorney to take the first step to hold your abuser and the institution that allowed the abuse accountable and receive compensation and closure for yourself. An attorney experienced in handling both sexual abuse claims and claims against dioceses can ensure the proper filing and handling of your civil lawsuit.
Your lawyer will work with you to gather the necessary evidence to support your claim and present your story in a way that accurately portrays the full extent of your suffering and ongoing healing to get you the justice you deserve.
The legal team at Herman Law has decades of experience handling all types of sexual abuse cases. Contact us today to learn how we can help you fight for your legal rights to compensation and seek justice against the Diocese of Lake Charles that allowed the abuse to happen. You don’t have to go through the complex legal process alone. We are here to help. Call us today for your free, no-obligation consultation.
Diocese of Lake Charles List of Credibly Accused Clergy
- Juan Alers, Diocesan Priest
- Mark Broussard, Diocesan Priest
- Gerard (Gerald) Smit, Diocesan Priest
- Charles Soileau, Diocesan Priest
Clerics and religious who were serving in the Diocese of Lake Charles at the time of the allegation and the diocese was notified of the accusation. The investigation and final disposition of the allegation was the responsibility of the religious order or diocese.
- Kerry Guillory, OFM Conv.
- Brennan Harris, OFM Conv., Conventual Friar (Franciscans)
- Gregory Mosca, OSB, Olivetan Benedictines
- Simon Palathingal, SBD, Religious Congregation of the Salesians, Bangalore Province
- Valerie Pullman, Diocese of Lafayette
Cleric who served in the area before Lake Charles became a diocese, and against whom the Diocese of Lake Charles received an accusation
- Richard Chachere, Diocesan Priest of the Diocese of Lafayette
Religious who served in the Diocese of Lake Charles, who appear on other lists of known Perpetrators, and for whom the Diocese of Lake Charles has no knowledge of an accusation of misconduct.
- Austin Park, SJ, Jesuits US Central and Southern Province
- Louis Perrault, CSSp, Holy Ghost Fathers