Clergy sex abuse case details revealed in Lafayette LA

Msgr. Robichaux’s accuser addresses handling of sex abuse allegations

• Jim Hummel
• 9:31 pm
• October 8, 2018

KATC has spoken with the woman whose accusations of decades-old abuse led to the removal of a high-ranking priest in the Diocese of Lafayette. Amid the allegations, Msgr. Robie Robichaux is on administrative leave. He’s been removed from his position as Judicial Vicar.

Diocese of Lafayette

“Bishop Deshotel and his Vicar General, Curtis Mallet, could not have been more transparent or responsive in their handling of the accusations,” said the accuser. KATC does not identify victims of sexual abuse. “In a very complicated set of circumstances, they have demonstrated the utmost concern for my well-being and integrity in the manner with which they have investigated the truth of what was brought to them.”

While she has praise for how her case has been handled most recently, she has questions about why something wasn’t done sooner. As Bishop J. Douglas Deshotel acknowledged in a news conference Monday afternoon, the diocese was aware of her accusations in 1994 and 2004.

Read more on that here.

“In 1994 and in 2004, both Bishop Flynn and Bishop Jarrell were presented with the same information,” she said. “My concern is with why more was not done at the time. It appears that there should have been enough information to take action both in 1994 and in 2004.”

You can read her full statement below:

Since I reported abuse by a priest in the Diocese of Lafayette on September 18 of this year, Bishop Deshotel and his Vicar General, Curtis Mallet, could not have been more transparent or responsive in their handling of the accusations. In a very complicated set of circumstances they have demonstrated the utmost concern for my wellbeing and integrity in the manner with which they have investigated the truth of what was brought to them. They have not wavered in their commitment to make sure that they followed due diligence and acknowledged any area where they did not have all of the necessary information to take action. They used the lay committee to provide even more transparency. They are doing whatever they can to restore trust where it has been diminished due to the current crisis in the church.

In reporting these allegations of abuse both in 1994 and in 2004, both Bishop Flynn and Bishop Jarrell were presented with the same information. My concern is with why more was not done at the time. It appears that there should have been enough information to take action both in 1994 and in 2004. I regret that doing this in 2018, 25 years after the first allegation, has made it all the more difficult all the way around.

Jubilee of Mercy begins in Lafayette Louisiana

Blessing of holy door service held at Cathedral

KLFY Newsroom Published: December 13, 2015

 

       

Photo Credit: St. John's Cathedral

With the blessing of the holy door at the Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist, Bishop Michael Jarrell of Lafayette formally opened a time of reconciliation and mercy.
This Sunday morning before the 11 am Mass, Bishop Jarrell, assisted by Rev.Chester Arceneaux, rector, and clergy of the Cathedral, formally opened the Extraordinary Jubilee Year of Mercy in the Diocese of Lafayette.  In keeping with similar actions in Rome by Pope Francis, a proclamation was read explaining the terms of the Jubilee Year of Mercy.
The faithful are to seek reconciliation, confession, for their own sins, and to offer mercy and reconcillation to relatives and friends. In his homily at the Mass he offered after the blessing of the holy doors, Bishop Jarrell reminded the congregation that the motto of the jubilee year of mercy is “be merciful like the Father.”  “There are two parts to the jubilee year,” the Bishop emphasized, “you must receive God’s mercy, and be agents of mercy.”
To facilitate reconciliation, throughout the diocese, before Christmas, on Wednesday nights,  Catholic churches are offering reconciliation, or confession, as it is familiarly known, from 6 to 8 pm, with the invitation.”The light is on for you.

Bishop of Lafayette LA lays down the law in reaction to Supreme Court decision

Bishop Jarrell with Diocese of Lafayette responds to same-sex marriage ruling

 

 

Photo of Bishop Michael Jarrell courtesy the Diocese of Lafayette website

Bishop Michael Jarrell with the Diocese of Lafayette has released the following statement in response to the 5-4 U.S. Supreme Court ruling in favor of same-sex marriage:

Let me state very plainly that no human court has the authority to change what God has written into the law of creation. This ruling is irreconcilable with the nature and definition of marriage as established by Divine Law. The marital covenant was established by God with its proper nature and laws.
I realize that this ruling will create conscience problems for many Catholics, especially those in public office. In some cases, civil disobedience may be a proper response. No priest or deacon of this Diocese may participate in the civil solemnization or celebration of a same-sex marriage. All Catholics are urged not to attend same-sex marriage ceremonies. No Catholic facility or property, including but not limited to parishes, missions, chapels, meeting halls, Catholic educational, health or charitable institutions, or facilities belonging to benevolent orders may be used for the solemnization of same sex marriage.
The upcoming Synod of marriage and the Family is scheduled for this October. It is dedicated to the vocation and mission of the family in the church and in the contemporary world. I may give consideration to the problems created by the alteration of the traditional law about marriage.
As Catholics, we have a profound respect for the dignity of all God's children. Nevertheless, there is no basis in law or in nature for altering the traditional definition of marriage, established by God from the beginning.