The Lafayette Roman Catholic Church has been accused of shielding Louisiana clergy members who were sexually abusing minors for decades. Many victims have come forward to share their stories and pursue legal action, even pressuring the legislation to change the statute of limitations.
Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers can help adult and child victims seek justice and secure their legal rights, leveraging our compassion and expertise to obtain financial compensation.
Why Choose Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers
Our law firm has a long and successful track record of legal action against religious institutions nationwide, including Roman Catholic dioceses. We have recovered millions in damages for our clients, even for claims that happened long ago.
Priest grooming and handling
Deacon assault and rape
Clergy child abuse filed in adulthood
Volunteer-perpetrated Catholic church abuse
Religious school priest teen sexual abuse
Case filed against a deceased priest
We work tirelessly to provide both compensation and closure for victims of childhood sexual abuse in the Catholic Church, helping empower them to seek justice. You can be guaranteed compassionate legal representation that respects your privacy and empowers you to share your story.
Clergy Abuse Statistics in the Diocese of Lafayette
- The Archdiocese of New Orleans, which encompasses the Diocese of Lafayette, has filed for bankruptcy due to many survivors coming forward with claims of priest abuse. They have recently proposed a $62 million settlement, but survivors are pushing for at least $1 billion [1].
- Louisiana State Police are investigating the Archdiocese for sex trafficking related to sexual abuse perpetrated by Msgr. Lawrence Hecker [2].
- Multiple claims against the Lafayette Diocese regarding clergy sex abuse led to the Louisiana Supreme Court reconsidering the statute of limitations in sexual abuse cases, including a lookback window that has now been extended to 2027 [3].
- Directly after this decision, the Lafayette Diocese was hit with six new lawsuits, all filing claims on behalf of adults who were sexually abused as children [4].
- In 2019, five men sued the Lafayette Diocese and other Catholic Church entities, stating they knew Rev. Monsignor Kenneth Romain Morvant was sexually abusing minors [5].
- In 2022, the Diocese of Lafayette released a 42-page document with a list of all clergy members credibly accused of sexual abuse [6].
- Bishop-Accountability, a watchdog nonprofit, lists 51 accused individuals in this diocese, including Fr. Felix David Broussard, who was charged with 500 counts of child pornography [7].
Common Forms of Catholic Clergy Sexual Abuse
Most clergy sexual abuse victims are males under the age of 18 [8], though prevalences may vary. As many as 20% of victims never disclose abuse occurred [9], making it challenging to gather accurate demographics.
Priest abuse can result in loss of faith and social isolation, particularly if they were sexually abused by an influential member of the community [10].
Typical forms of abuse include:
- Grooming – This is when an individual emotionally manipulates a minor before perpetrating sexual abuse.
- Childhood Sexual Abuse – Any sexual activity with a minor is a form of abuse.
- Sexual Assault – Louisiana law defines sexual assault as any sexual contact perpetrated through force or threats or with a person legally unable to consent [11].
- Rape – This is anal, oral, or vaginal penetration without the person’s consent.
- Sexual Abuse – Sexual abuse can include both physical and nonphysical acts, such as exposing someone to sexual material like pornography without their consent.
- Sexual Harassment – Stalking, unwanted sexual advances, sexualized comments, and sexualized abuse are all harassment.
- Abuse of Authority – If a person uses their position of power, such as being a religious leader, to coerce or force others into sexual activities, this is a sexual abuse of authority.
Common Signs of Child Sexual Abuse
According to RAINN, common signs of sexual abuse in young children include [12]:
- STIs or signs of genital trauma, like blood on the sheets
- Regressive behaviors, such as bedwetting or thumb-sucking
- Fearing being alone with specific individuals
- Not wanting to return to certain places, like the church
- Clinging to parents or other trusted adults
- Not wanting to remove clothing to bathe
- Nightmares or fears of being alone at night
- Changes in mood and personality
- Loss of interest in schools, hobbies, and other activities
- Age-inappropriate sexual behavior
- Decrease in confidence
- Anxiety or depression
Eligibility to File a Clergy Sexual Abuse Lawsuit
Individuals who have been impacted by clergy sexual abuse in the Diocese of Lafayette may be eligible for compensation. This includes child victims and their parents, adult victims of abuse or assault, and adult survivors who were sexually abused as minors.
Liability in Catholic Clergy Sexual Abuse Cases
Multiple parties may be considered liable for clergy sexual abuse. This includes the perpetrator, who can be held accountable for the harm done by their actions. They may also be criminally charged.
Individuals who knew that abuse happened but did not report it can be held partially responsible. Clergy are mandated reporters in Louisiana, though they can claim clergy-penitent privilege if the admission occurred during confession [13].
The Archdiocese of New Orleans, the Diocese of Lafayette, the specific parish, or the church can be held responsible under the principle of vicarious liability, which has them accountable for the actions of their employees.
If they were aware of the sexual abuse, or if abuse occurred before the priest was assigned there, then they can be responsible for negligent hiring or supervision.
To file against Roman Catholic dioceses or churches, it must be proven they knew abuse happened, and they either failed to stop it or took specific actions to prevent the sexual abuse from being reported to the authorities.
The Statute of Limitations for Filing a Civil Lawsuit in Lafayette
A new law passed earlier this year opens up a lookback window for sexual abuse until June 14, 2027, even if the abuse happened long ago. However, the ruling has been previously prosecuted, meaning your legal options to file a Louisiana clergy abuse lawsuit may change quickly.
Types of Cases Handled by Our Lafayette Clergy Abuse Lawyers
Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers handles cases involving sex abuse in the Diocese of Lafayette, which encompasses 4 deaneries and 121 parishes throughout south-central Louisiana.
Our team can assist with sexual abuse in other religious institutions, such as the Orthodox Catholic Church, Protestant denominations, Jehovah’s Witnesses, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, and Jewish denominations.
We will take action in a civil lawsuit for abuse by priests, nuns, friars, pastors, rabbis, religious teachers, or other individuals associated with religious institutions.
Steps to Take if You Are a Victim
Immediately after an assault, it’s essential to protect the victim’s safety and well-being. Report the abuse as soon as possible to the proper authorities and notify the Diocese of Lafayette so they can prevent further harm to other victims.
In addition to filing a police report, document all the information you can remember about the incident while it’s still fresh. Include anything that happened leading up to the event, too.
Gather as much evidence as you can, which can include:
- Police reports
- Medical exams
- Therapy notes
- Photos of any injuries
- Testimonies by others who knew about the incident
- Communication between the victim and the abuser
The Sexual Abuse Response Center (SARC) offers free counseling, advocacy, and resources for survivors in Lafayette, LA, and surrounding areas.
How Our Lafayette Clergy Sexual Abuse Attorneys Can Help
Our firm is here to guide you throughout the legal process. We will handle negotiations and communications between you, the Diocese of Lafayette, and other third parties. Our services include:
- Determining whether you have a case
- Evaluating potential damages
- Investigating the incident
- Gathering evidence
- Consulting with expert witnesses
- Negotiating with the Diocese of Lafayette
- Filing a lawsuit if we cannot settle
- Representing you in court
The Cost of Hiring a Lafayette Clergy Sexual Abuse Lawyer
Our law firm works on a contingency fee basis, meaning you owe us nothing unless we can win your case.
Compensation for Clergy Abuse Survivors
Compensation for those sexually abused by Catholic clergy may include:
- Medical bills
- Out-of-pocket medical expenses
- Loss of earning potential
- Emotional distress
- Pain and suffering
- Loss of enjoyment of life
In some cases, you may receive punitive damages. Punitive damages are designed to punish the abuser and deter it from happening again.
The amount you receive depends on factors like when the person was sexually abused, the length of time they were abused, the victim’s age at the time, and the amount of financial losses related to the incident.
Contact Our Lafayette Clergy Sexual Abuse Attorneys Today!
If you or someone you care about has been affected by sex abuse within the Diocese of Lafayette, it’s important to know that legal help is available. Recent changes in the law may allow survivors to take action even if years have passed since the abuse. Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers can guide you through the legal process and help you seek justice.
To schedule a confidential consultation with an attorney about your legal options, contact us 24/7 at (888) 424-5757 or online.
Related Practice Areas
- Louisiana Catholic Diocese Priest Abuse List
- Baton Rouge Clergy Abuse Lawyer
- Lake Charles Clergy Abuse Lawyer
- New Orleans Clergy Abuse Lawyer
- Shreveport Clergy Abuse Lawyer
References: [1] Catholic News Agency, [2] OSV News, [3] AP News, [4] KADN, [5] KATC-3, [6] Diocese of Lafayette, [7] Bishop-Accountability, [8] National Library of Medicine, [9] Child USA, [10] Child Abuse & Neglect, [11] Justia Law, [12] Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network, [13] Victim Rights Law Center