Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux releases list of priests accused of sexual abuse

A full response is below:

To the dear people of God in the Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux:

I address you today because I care for you, and because your faith in Jesus Christ is important to me. I write to you because you are an important part of the Body of Christ, the Church. Today the Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux is releasing the names of any priest with a credible allegation of child sexual abuse since our inception in 1977. Be assured that no priest in current active ministry in the Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux is on the list.

I want to apologize for the egregious sins that have taken place. Let me be clear: the abuse of a child by anyone is sinful, abhorrent and evil, particularly when perpetrated by one vested with the sacred trust of God’s children. Furthermore, any attempt to cover up these sins is even more disturbing. I apologize to all who have been harmed. It is with deep respect and profound reverence that I humbly extend this apology.

It is understandable if victims and their families feel angry and abandoned and if they mistrust the leadership of the church because of its failure to adequately respond to their distress and attend to their needs.  The lifelong process of healing that is necessary after enduring abuse is a road marked with struggle and I pray that the Church can assist every step of the way.

I am fully aware that the words “I’m sorry” ring hollow in light of what you have endured, but I apologize on behalf of the Church for damages caused by any cleric who has sinned. I apologize if victims and their families ever felt shunned by the church or if any bishop at any time failed to listen to them. I apologize to all who have been harmed by action and inaction that could have been avoided. With deep personal grief in my own heart, I express that I am sorry.

If you have been a victim of child sexual abuse by a priest, I, with great reverence, say to you now: The door is open. We invite you to come forward. Our Victims’ Assistance Coordinator is Sister Carmelita Centanni, M.S.C., Ph.D. Sister Carmelita is a religious Sister of the Marianites of Holy Cross. Sister Carmelita is also a Licensed Professional Clinical Psychologist. Before joining the Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux, she served in the Archdiocese of New Orleans where she also served as Victims’ Assistance Coordinator. Sister Carmelita has over 30 years of counseling experience, as well as 16 years as a Victims’ Assistance Coordinator. You may reach Sister Carmelita directly at 985.850.3172 or by email at ccentanni@htdiocese.org.

Sister Carmelita is here to assist you. I, as your bishop, am here to assist you. We are committed, now more than ever, to walking with you toward healing. If you have reasonable cause to suspect that a child is being or has been abused by anyone, please first contact the civil authorities by calling the Louisiana Child Abuse Hotline at 855.452.5437. If you suspect that the abuser is a priest, deacon or member of church personnel, after calling civil authorities please also call Sister Carmelita. You may also call the Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux Outreach Line at 985.873.0026.

Let me explain the process that was used to determine this release of names. The 2002 Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People outlines the norms and policies that must be followed regarding the sexual abuse of a minor. The Charter not only defines what sexual abuse is, but in so doing outlines what matters must be brought before the Diocesan Lay Review Board. All such matters were brought to our Diocesan Lay Review Board in the fall of 2018.

As bishop, I made an intentional decision to give the Diocesan Lay Review Board the authority to determine whether the allegations had evidence of credibility and were substantiated. In so doing, the Diocesan Lay Review Board determined and recommended to me the list of the names that have been published. As mentioned earlier, our Diocesan Lay Review Board is comprised of leaders with over 200 years of expertise in law enforcement, legal and medical professions, and social services. Our current board is chaired by Judge Morris Lottinger, Jr., retired chief judge of the Louisiana First Circuit Court of Appeal. He served on the court from 1975 to 1998. The court has both civil and criminal jurisdiction in Terrebonne, Lafourche and St. Mary parishes as well as thirteen other parishes. The names of the remaining six members of the Diocesan Lay Review Board remain confidential.