Diocese of Lafayette Releases List of Clergy “Credibly Accused” of Sexual Assault

The Diocese of Lafayette made public its list of clergy credibly accused of sexual assault on its website Friday afternoon. 

The list covers 33 priests and 4 deacons, with dates of ordination going back to 1934. Included on the list are Gilbert Gauthé, who was convicted of multiple counts of aggravated crime against nature, contributing to the delinquency of juveniles and pornography involving juveniles in 1985, and Robie Robichaux, who is currently on leave after being accused of sex abuse in Iberia Parish.

Gauthé was the first priest in the Diocese of Lafayette to be publicly accused, in 1983. Robichaux was accused in the 1970s, but was not removed from his position as the Diocese’s Judicial Vicar until 2018 after the victim reported it for the third time and a second victim came forward.  No criminal have been filed yet, but the New Iberia Police has an investigation open.

In a letter the Diocese released Wednesday, Deshotel said the credibly accused list will grow if further credible complaints are discovered.

“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.

The following list contains 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.”

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.

Official list of 33 Preists:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Official list of 4 Deacons:

 

 

 

 

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