Key takeaways from the Guardian’s inquiry into the church’s handling of a predatory priest
Summary
Catholic church leaders allowed priest Anthony Odiong to continue working in New Orleans and Texas despite knowing he faced sexual misconduct accusations. Odiong was later convicted of sexual assault and sentenced to life in prison. Church documents show that complaints were known by officials years before his conviction, but the church delayed action and extended his ministry.Key Facts
- Anthony Odiong, a Catholic priest, was convicted of criminal sexual assault in Texas and sentenced to life imprisonment in June.
- The first complaint against Odiong was made in 2011 in Austin, Texas, but the New Orleans church was only informed in 2018.
- Odiong continued to serve as pastor at St Anthony of Padua church in Luling, Louisiana, with extensions authorized up to at least 2027.
- Several women accused Odiong of sexual misconduct and unwanted advances while he was ministering to them.
- Church officials in Austin and New Orleans, including bishops Gregory Aymond and Joe Vásquez, knew about complaints but allowed Odiong to keep working.
- Odiong fathered a child with one of the women he ministered to, breaking Catholic celibacy vows.
- A letter in 2018 requested Odiong refrain from ministry in Austin, but he remained active in New Orleans.
- Several top church leaders were aware of the allegations, and a victim's family member recanted a claim due to fear of job loss, which was later challenged during the trial.
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