KATC Investigates has learned that a new complaint as been filed against Father Joseph Alexander who was removed from ministry in 2002.
He was removed when an allegation from the 1960’s surfaced out of Kentucky when Alexander was a Benedictine brother there. The bishop at the time said no allegations had been made regarding any incidents in Louisiana.
This week the diocese received a new complaint in St. Landry Parish. We’re told Alexander is accused of sexually abusing a minor while assigned as a priest at St. Anthony Catholic Church in Eunice, where he served from 1988 to 2002.
Eunice Police do confirm the diocese has sent them a complaint within the past week.
Father Alexander joined the Benedictine order in 1955 and was ordained for them in 1973. He became a priest of the Diocese of Lafayette in 1987. He has also served at Our Lady of Wisdom Catholic Church, Lafayette; Saint Thomas More High School, Lafayette; and Holy Rosary Institute, Lafayette.
According to the 2017 Official Catholic Directory, Alexander is listed as being on “Administrative Leave.”
Alexander was one of the priests named in the KATC Special Report: The List.
Timeline:
1955 – 1973: St. Mark’s Monastery, South Union, KY
1973: Ordained
1984 – 1988: Our Lady of Wisdom, University of Southwestern Louisiana, Lafayette
1985 – 1987: St. Thomas More High School Lafayette, Teacher
1987 – 1988: Holy Rosary Institute Lafayette, Principal
1988 – 2002: St. Anthony Church of Padua Eunice, Pastor
April 2002 : St. Edmund Catholic School Eunice, Chancellor
April 2002: Removed from post and put “on leave” after old allegations from Kentucky surface
2018: New allegations made in Eunice
