Archdiocese of New Orleans
The Latest
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
Disgraced Louisiana priest pleads guilty to filming pornographic material on parish altar
Travis Clark pled guilt to a felony count of obscenity for his actions at a Catholic church in Pearl River,... Read more
New Orleans priest facing rape charges also accused of embezzling $400,000
A suspended Archdiocese of New Orleans priest who is facing rape charges could now be facing additional federal charges for... Read more
New Orleans priest arrested again on sexual abuse of minor charge
Father Patrick Wattigny, 55, was originally arrested in October 2020 and entered a plea of not guilty to molestation of... Read more
FBI probe could help prosecute Louisiana priests accused of inter-state sex abuse
Federal authorities are investigating alleged sex abuse of minors by New Orleans-area Catholic clergy, sometimes going back decades, on the... Read more
Cooking show is this New Orleans priest's recipe for sharing the faith
Meet Father Robert Cooper, star of a new online cooking series in which he creates various dishes inspired by feast... Read more
New Orleans archdiocese to pay $1m settlement for 'fraudulent' Hurricane Katrina claims
The Archdiocese of New Orleans will pay more than $1 million in a settlement related to allegations of fraud in... Read more
‘We'll get through it’: New Orleans pastor looks to rebuild after Ida
A New Orleans pastor whose parish school was severely damaged in Hurricane Ida is bracing himself for a “big expense,”... Read more
Louisiana schools closed amid prayers for survivors in the wake of Hurricane Ida
At least one Catholic church in New Orleans has opened its doors to serve as an emergency shelter amid widespread... Read more
Louisiana priest who desecrated altar charged with vandalism
A priest of the Archdiocese of New Orleans arrested last year along with two women after filming a pornographic video... Read more
New Orleans archdiocese seeks laicization for all clergy credibly accused of sex abuse
While scandalous allegations against two New Orleans-area priests have again raised questions about the Church’s response to clergy misconduct, the... Read more
