Skip to main content

A Video Message From Bishop J. Douglas Deshotel of the Diocese of Lafayette On Credibly Accused Clergy

Apr 10, 2019 03:58PM ● By Dwayne Fatherree
Lafayette Diocese to release accused clergy list Friday (Four page letter from the Bishop attached).

After months of waiting, parishioners of the Diocese of Lafayette will be able to see the list of clergy credibly accused of sexual abuse on Friday.

According to Diocese of Lafayette Communication Director Blue Rolfes, a letter from Bishop J. Douglas Deshotel and a video of the bishop will be available on the Diocese website at www.diolaf.org this afternoon.

In a letter the Diocese released Wednesday, Deshotel said there are 33 priests and four deacons on the credibly accused list.

“The future receipt and subsequent determination of any new credible allegation against a priest or deacon, living or dead, will result in adding his name to the disclosure list,” Deshotel said in his letter.

He said the list will contain the name of the accused, their date of birth, a list of his assignments and posts held, and their current status, including when they were removed from the ministry.
“The inclusion of the names of some of the clergy may be for their family and friends a shock and a surprise,” Deshotel wrote. “I deeply regret that this process may cause you pain and wonderment. Know that each case was treated seriously because, in all cases, lives and the good name of a person were at stake.”

Deshotel closed his letter with an apology to the victims of the named clergy.

“Finally, and most importantly, on behalf of our entire Diocese, I offer our humble apology to victims of abuse and their families,” Deshotel said. “The unjust agony they have experienced at the hands of cleric, who has been ordained to serve, is heartbreaking and cries for justice.”
The cry for the release of the names of credibly accused clergy became louder as other Diocese across the country released their list of accused clergy. The Diocese of Lafayette said in October that the list was being compiled, but that it may take some time.

#####