New predator priest lawsuit filed against Diocese of Lafayette

LAFAYETTE, LA (KLFY) — A new lawsuit has been filed against the Roman Catholic Diocese of Lafayette following an alleged victim of the infamous former priest, Father Gilbert Gauthe, coming forward, accusing the dioceses of negligence.

“We want to applaud this brave man for once again putting father gross’s name in the limelight. He, too, like these other priests, he too, is still alive and could still be a threat to kids,” said David Clohessy with Survivors Network of Those Abused by Priests. (SNAP)

The accusations against the diocese state they were or should have been aware of the risk in allowing Father Gauthe to remain a priest in the church and having access to children. The plaintiffs claim the Diocese and St. Mary Magdalen church in Abbeville pressured the victim’s family to remain silent about the abuse. Members of SNAP agree the diocese has a history of covering up abuse or names of the list of abusers — something they say has gone on for too long.

Quinn Hebert with another church abuse advocacy group called Tent Makers of Louisiana said, “This is the kind of tactics that our diocese is using against victims of their priests. It is inexcusable. The Diocese of Lafayette is, in fact, morally bankrupt. It goes against everything that Jesus Christ taught, which they supposedly represent.”

“If you genuinely want to protect kids and genuinely want to help victims, you will put the names of every proven admitted, incredibly accused predator priest on your website,” said Clohessy.

SNAP urges anyone who has experienced or suspect abuse to speak up to help not only yourself heal but to prevent it from happening to anyone else. We have reached out to the diocese for a statement, but nothing was provided as of news time.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KLFY.com.