LAFAYETTE, La. — The Diocese of Lafayette says they have determined that allegations made against former priest Michael Guidry are credible.
The allegations they say are the ones made by Oliver Peyton.
The Diocese of Lafayette released a statement on May 7, 2021, denouncing Guidry's actions and formally apologizing to Peyton and his family.
In 2019, Guidry was sentenced to 10 years in prison after pleading guilty to molesting a teenage boy, who was the son of a deacon he served with at St. Peter's Church in Morrow.
Scott Peyton, Oliver's father tells KATC that the apology was issued on Friday because the lawsuit against the Diocese and Guidry was settled and the dismissal was signed this week.
According to court records, the lawsuit was dismissed by a St. Landry Parish judge on April 30. Records show that all claims had been resolved and each party will have to bear their own costs.
KATC asked the Diocese of Lafayette if Guidry was on its list of credibly accused priests then what changed to make the diocese issue an apology more than two years later?
A spokesperson for the diocese said the release is the only thing that they will be addressing, and there will be no further comment.
However, the family says the apology comes after they settled and signed their lawsuit with the diocese this week.
The diocese said Guidry has been permanently removed form ministry.
Their statement is below:
"After careful examination, the Diocese of Lafayette has determined that the allegations made by Oliver Peyton against Michael Guidry, who formerly served as a priest of the Diocese of Lafayette, are credible. The Diocese further denounces the actions of Michael Guidry towards Oliver Peyton and hereby formally and publicly apologizes to Oliver Peyton and to his family. Michael Guidry has been permanently removed from ministry."
KATC reached out to Peyton's family for comment on this update. They responded with the following statement:
"These past three years have been an incredibly difficult time for our son and our entire family. The fact that Father Guidry has not been laicized and remains an ordained member of the clergy is disturbing. Our prayers go out to the countless victims who have not been acknowledged nor received an apology."
Read the latest on the case here
------------------------------------------------------------
Stay in touch with us anytime, anywhere.
To reach the newsroom or report a typo/correction, click HERE.
Sign up for newsletters emailed to your inbox. Select from these options: Breaking News, Evening News Headlines, Latest COVID-19 Headlines, Morning News Headlines, Special Offers
