Louisiana

The Latest

Father Simon-Peter Engurait.

Ugandan priest named diocesan administrator of Louisiana diocese following death of bishop

Jan 26, 2024

By CNA Staff

Father Simon-Peter Engurait has been chosen as diocesan administrator of the Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux in Louisiana. Read more

Bishop Mario Dorsonville was appointed bishop of the Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux in Louisiana on Feb. 1, 2023. He passed away Jan. 19, 2024, due to “complications arising from recent health problems,” the diocese said. He was 63 years old.

Bishop of Houma-Thibodaux in Louisiana dies unexpectedly at 63 

Jan 20, 2024

By Matthew Santucci

Bishop Mario Dorsonville was bishop of the Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux for less than a year, having been appointed as bishop... Read more

Newly elected Speaker of the House Rep. Mike Johnson, R-Louisiana, speaks in the House chamber after his election at the U.S. Capitol on Oct. 25, 2023, in Washington, D.C.

Mike Johnson elected Speaker of the House

Oct 25, 2023

By Peter Pinedo

Rep. Mike Johnson, a 51-year-old Louisiana Republican, was elected Speaker of the House on Wednesday afternoon in a 220-209 vote. Read more

Father Mark Beard, pastor of St. Helena Catholic Church in Amite City, Louisiana, died in a car accident Aug. 2, 2023.

Baton Rouge priest killed in a car crash remembered for his holiness, passion for truth

Aug 8, 2023

By Jonah McKeown

Father Mark Beard, who died Aug. 2, became a priest later in life after a successful career and was known... Read more

The Louisiana Legislature on July 18, 2023, overrode the Democratic governor's veto of legislation banning transgender surgeries and treatments for minors.

Louisiana lawmakers override veto, will ban sex changes for kids

Jul 20, 2023

By Tyler Arnold

Rep. Gabe Firment, the primary sponsor of the legislation, said in a statement that the override is a “huge win”... Read more

Father Patrick Wattigny pleaded guilty July 12, 2023, to two child molestation charges.

New Orleans priest pleads guilty to two child molestation charges

Jul 17, 2023

By Joe Bukuras

Father Patrick Wattigny, 55, a former pastor and chaplain in Slidell, Louisiana, was sentenced to five years in prison. Read more

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Utah’s bill protecting minors prompts porn site to block access to entire state 

May 2, 2023

By Tyler Arnold

A Utah bill that is designed to prevent minors from accessing pornography online is set to go into effect on... Read more

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Pilot who offered women flights to abortion-friendly states fired from job teaching at Catholic seminary

Apr 24, 2023

By Joe Bukuras

A professor at a Catholic seminary in Louisiana lost his job after it was discovered that he had gone on... Read more

Death row in an American prison.

Louisiana governor calls for end to death penalty — and legalizing some abortions

Apr 12, 2023

By Kevin J. Jones

Louisiana Gov. John Bel Edwards, citing “pro-life values,” has called on lawmakers to end the state’s death penalty in the... Read more

Father Otis Young, the former pastor at St. Peter Catholic Church in Covington, Louisiana, was killed in a double homicide less than a year after his retirement.

Louisiana priest confirmed as victim in double homicide, archbishop offers prayers

Nov 30, 2022

By Joe Bukuras

Father Otis Young, 71, who retired in July, was pastor for approximately 10 years at St. Peter Catholic Church in... Read more

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Louisiana Catholic church community ‘rocked’ by reports of double homicide

Nov 28, 2022

By Joe Bukuras

The news comes amid an unconfirmed report that the victims were the parish’s former pastor and a former employee. Read more

Gia, an 8-month-old Bernedoodle, visits Sacred Heart of Jesus School in Baton Rouge twice a week with a group of Mercedarian Sisters of the Blessed Sacrament.

Meet the therapy dog trained by Mercedarian sisters to help the students they serve

Sep 25, 2022

By Francesca Pollio Fenton

Students at Sacred Heart of Jesus School in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, are visited twice a week by Gia, an 8-month-old... Read more

Pro-lifers rally outside the Supreme Court in Washington, D.C., Dec. 1, 2021.

Each of Louisiana’s abortion clinics are leaving the state

Aug 17, 2022

By Joe Bukuras

The three abortion clinics in Louisiana are leaving the state following the state’s Supreme Court Aug. 12 decision that an... Read more

New Orleans' Jackson Square.

New Orleans archdiocese to pay $1m settlement for 'fraudulent' Hurricane Katrina claims

Nov 15, 2021

By Christine Rousselle

The Archdiocese of New Orleans will pay more than $1 million in a settlement related to allegations of fraud in... Read more

Pope Francis makes the Sign of the Cross April 18, 2018.

Pope Francis prays for victims of Hurricane Ida

Sep 5, 2021

By Courtney Mares

Hurricane Ida was one of the most powerful storms to ever make landfall on the U.S. mainland. Read more

Louisiana governor vetoes women’s sports bill 

Jun 23, 2021

Louisiana Gov. John Bel Edwards (D) on Tuesday vetoed a bill that would have prohibited student athletes from competing in... Read more

Louisiana state capitol

Louisiana poised to create window for sex abuse lawsuits

Jun 14, 2021

The Louisiana state legislature last week passed a bill allowing for new lawsuits in old cases of child sex abuse... Read more

Louisiana legislature recognizes anniversary of Roe v. Wade as ‘Day of Tears’

May 11, 2021

The Louisiana state legislature last week passed a resolution recognizing Jan. 22, 2022, the 49th anniversary of legalized abortion throughout... Read more

Bishop Shelton Fabre of Houma-Thibodaux.

Louisiana diocese ends mask requirement at Mass, but bishop advises 'continued vigilance'

May 1, 2021

"The pandemic’s hold on our state, country and world has not completely subsided, and the fight against this virus continues..." Read more

Credit: Jat306/Shutterstock

‘A victory for transparency’: Louisiana applauds court order to unseal abortion clinic records

Feb 2, 2021

Louisiana’s attorney general is applauding a federal court order to unseal documents and records that abortion providers have fought to... Read more