Archdiocese of New Orleans
The Latest
New Orleans NFL team denies it had input into archdiocesan clergy abuse list
The denial comes amid a media controversy over the football team’s role in helping the archdiocese manage the fallout from... Read more
Biden attends prayer service for New Orleans terror attack victims hosted by archdiocese
The president was among the dignitaries at the Monday evening event at St. Louis Cathedral in New Orleans. Read more
UPDATE: Driver slams car into New Year’s crowd in New Orleans: 15 killed, archbishop offers prayers
“Our prayers go out to those killed and injured in this morning’s horrific attack on Bourbon Street,” New Orleans Archbishop... Read more
Louisiana priest Lawrence Hecker dies in prison after life sentence over rape of teenager
Lawrence Hecker was indicted in September 2023 on felony charges related to allegations that he raped an underage teenage boy... Read more
Louisiana priest sentenced to life in prison after pleading guilty to rape of teenage boy
Lawrence Hecker had pleaded guilty earlier this month to the kidnapping and raping of his teenage victim in the 1970s. Read more
New Orleans priest pleads guilty to 1970s kidnapping, rape of teenager
Father Lawrence Hecker’s trial was repeatedly delayed this year amid Hecker’s ill health and uncertainty over his mental competency to... Read more
Archdiocese of New Orleans will release personnel files of clergy accused of sex abuse
On Thursday the archdiocese said in an announcement that it had agreed to “nonmonetary plan provisions to be included in... Read more
Archdiocese of New Orleans offers $62 million abuse settlement; survivors ask for $1 billion
The archdiocesan proposal is considerably less than the roughly $1 billion proposed by survivors of clergy abuse. Read more
Archdiocese of New Orleans suspected of child sex trafficking, warrant shows
The affidavit requesting the warrant alleges that multiple victims claim they were transported to parishes and out of state, where... Read more
Louisiana police obtain new search warrant in New Orleans Archdiocese abuse investigation
A police spokesman confirmed that they obtained the warrant as part of the investigation into “numerous complaints of child sexual... Read more
Prosecutor vows to try ‘on a gurney’ 92-year-old Louisiana priest accused of rape
Lawrence Hecker was indicted on charges of aggravated rape, aggravated kidnapping, an aggravated crime against nature, and theft in September... Read more
‘Every child deserves the opportunity to thrive’: New Orleans Saints owner funds new Catholic school
Gayle Benson concluded her monthly giving in December with a large donation to Good Shepherd School, which serves inner-city children... Read more
New Orleans Archdiocese to close 10% of parishes, merge others
This consolidation is the archdiocese's largest restructuring plan since the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina in 2005. Read more
New Orleans Archdiocese says parishes will be asked to help pay for clergy abuse settlements
Archbishop Gregory Aymond announced that parishes, schools, and ministries will have to help pay out the archdiocese’s clergy abuse claims. Read more
91-year-old ex-priest indicted in New Orleans for alleged rape of boy in 1970s
Lawrence Hecker was indicted on charges of aggravated rape, aggravated kidnapping, an aggravated crime against nature, and theft by a... Read more
New Orleans priest pleads guilty to two child molestation charges
Father Patrick Wattigny, 55, a former pastor and chaplain in Slidell, Louisiana, was sentenced to five years in prison. Read more
Former New Orleans priest gets 25 years on sexual assault and rape charges
The former priest would meet his victims in the French Quarter neighborhood of New Orleans, specifically targeting intoxicated men or... Read more
New Orleans Auxiliary Bishop Cheri dies at 71 after lengthy illness
Bishop Fernand Joseph Cheri III, OFM, who served since 2015 as auxiliary bishop of New Orleans, died March 21 at... Read more
Former parish employee identified as second victim of Louisiana double homicide
Ruth Prats, 73, worked for Father Otis Young when he was pastor of St. Peter Catholic Church in Covington, Louisiana. Read more
Louisiana priest confirmed as victim in double homicide, archbishop offers prayers
Father Otis Young, 71, who retired in July, was pastor for approximately 10 years at St. Peter Catholic Church in... Read more
