Louisiana is a heavily Catholic state and has been hit especially hard by church abuse scandals that became public knowledge as far back as the 1980s. Facing mounting abuse lawsuits, the New Orleans Archdiocese filed for bankruptcy protection 2020. To aid victims of childhood abuse in Louisiana in seeking justice, lawmakers passed a bill that eliminated the statute of limitations for childhood sexual abuse. Previously, a victim had only 3 years from their 18th birthday to file a lawsuit.
In conjunction with the elimination of its statute of limitations for childhood sexual abuse, the Louisiana bill enacted a three-year revival window during which victims of childhood sexual abuse, whose claims may be barred by the prior statute of limitations, may bring an action against the abuser and any other party who may be responsible for the abuse, no matter when the abuse occurred. This three-year revival window will be open until June 13, 2024.
The FBI has reportedly launched an investigation into allegations of child sexual abuse perpetrated by clergy of the Archdiocese of New Orleans. Various news outlets have reported that many victims who were sexually abused as children have been interviewed by the FBI during that last several months. Many of the victims were allegedly abused and taken across state lines to other locations by priests serving in the Archdiocese of New Orleans.
Federal investigations into child sexual abuse are often hampered by the inability to link the abuse to violations of federal criminal law. However, this investigation focuses on potential violations of the federal Mann Act. “Cases arising under the Mann Act, 18 U.S.C. § 2421 et seq., are investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and are referred directly to the appropriate United States Attorneys. The Child and Exploitation and Obscenity Section of the Criminal Division is responsible for supervision of the Act.”
The act sets forth several offenses including the offense of knowingly transporting any individual, male or female, in interstate or foreign commerce or in any territory or possession of the United States for the purpose of prostitution or sexual activity which is a criminal offense under the federal or state statute or local ordinance. Section 2423 is concerned solely with the transportation of minors under the age of 18 years and provides for an enhanced penalty.” While many of the abuses being investigated are decades old, it is notable that Mann Act violations have no statute of limitations.
The following lists include current or former priests, brothers and nuns who have been sued and/or suspended following allegations of sexual abuse of minors or have claims against them in the state of Louisiana. We are actively pursuing cases against Catholic priests and clergy as well as figures from other religious institutions.
Important note: If the name of a priest or other member of clergy you are searching for does not appear in the lists below, it does not mean that you do not have a potential claim against that individual. These lists of credibly accused individuals are always expanding as more information is brought forth to the dioceses and to authorities. Please contact us if you or a loved one has been abused by a priest or other clergy member, regardless of whether they appear in the lists below or not.
| Archdiocese of New Orleans | 89 Named Priests |
| Diocese of Alexandria | 30 Named Priests |
| Diocese of Baton Rouge | 21 Named Priests |
| Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux | 12 Named Priests |
| Diocese of Lafayette | 50 Named Priests |
| Diocese of Lake Charles | 7 Named Priests |
The following is a list of Archdiocese of New Orleans Clergy and/or other unordained members of the church who have been the objects of legal settlements or otherwise credibly accused of sexual abuse of a minor:
The following is a list of Diocese of Alexandria Clergy and/or other unordained members of the church who have been the objects of legal settlements or otherwise credibly accused of sexual abuse of a minor:
The following is a list of Diocese of Baton Rouge Clergy and/or other unordained members of the church who have been the objects of legal settlements or otherwise credibly accused of sexual abuse of a minor:
The following is a list of Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux Clergy and/or other unordained members of the church who have been the objects of legal settlements or otherwise credibly accused of sexual abuse of a minor:
The following is a list of Diocese of Lafayette Clergy and/or other unordained members of the church who have been the objects of legal settlements or otherwise credibly accused of sexual abuse of a minor:
The following is a list of Diocese of Lake Charles Clergy and/or other unordained members of the church who have been the objects of legal settlements or otherwise credibly accused of sexual abuse of a minor:
If you prefer to speak with us directly regarding your incident, please call The Meneo Law Group at 1-866-371-8506 1-866-371-8506 or send us a confidential email.