New Orleans priest accused of abusing children in deaf community dies from apparent fall aged 87
Summary
Gerard Joseph “Jerry” Howell, a New Orleans Catholic priest accused of abusing children in the local deaf community, died at age 87 in Texas after apparently falling. Despite serious accusations known by the New Orleans archdiocese for decades, Howell remained a priest with support and benefits until a court stopped payments in 2020.Key Facts
- Howell was 87 years old and died after an apparent fall in his Texas apartment on 8 September.
- Police found Howell unresponsive and he was pronounced dead at the scene.
- The New Orleans archdiocese knew about Howell’s abuse of deaf children for over 40 years.
- Howell continued as an active priest even after reports to law enforcement in 1980 and public exposure in 1992.
- The archdiocese paid Howell retirement benefits until 2020, when a federal judge stopped these payments.
- Records show the church was aware of at least 24 child victims and labeled Howell as “high risk” by a psychologist.
- Vatican authorities ordered Howell to keep his priest status and financial support after 1992.
- Survivors expressed relief at Howell’s death, feeling it ends his ability to harm others.
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