Catholic Church officials in the Houma and Thibodeaux areas have named 14 priests including those who are accused of sexual misconduct involving children which include rape. Of those named, 6 priests have admitted or were convicted of sexual misconduct with children as well as 3 others who faced civil litigation.
Another five are accused of serious and unacceptable conduct with minors which could include anything from inapproriate physical contact, to molestation of a minor.
Bishop Shelton J. Fabre released the list along with a letter expressing his and the diocese’s apologies for the victims impacted.
“Let me be clear: the abuse of a child by anyone is sinful, abhorrent and evil, particularly when perpetrated by one vested with the sacred trust of God’s children. Furthermore, any attempt to cover up these sins is even more disturbing. I apologize to all who have been harmed. It is with deep respect and profound reverence that I humbly extend this apology,” Fabre wrote in part.
Here are the names of those priests:
LAWRENCE CAVELL
Ordained in 1989Admitted to solicitation of a minorAll priestly faculties permanently removed by the DioceseServed at Holy Cross in Morgan City, Sacred Heart in Montegut, Saint Francis de Sales in Houma,Saint Genevieve in Thibodaux, and Saint Mary in Raceland
ALEXANDER FRANCISCO
Ordained in 1979Admitted to inappropriate physical contact with a minorAll priestly faculties permanently removed by the DioceseServed at Holy Cross in Morgan City, Saint Bernadette in Houma, Saint Bridget in Schriever, SaintJoseph in Thibodaux, and Saint Thomas Aquinas in Thibodaux
DALE GUIDRY
Ordained in 1982Pled guilty to online solicitation of a minor and accused of molestation of a minorAll priestly faculties permanently removed within the DioceseDied October 20, 2013Served at Holy Cross in Morgan City and Saint Joseph in Galliano
PATRICK KUJAWA
Ordained in 1996Pled guilty to possession of child pornographyConvicted and currently incarceratedAll priestly faculties permanently removed by the DioceseServed at Holy Cross in Morgan City and Saint Francis de Sales in Houma
ROBERT MELANCON
Ordained in 1962Convicted of aggravated rape of a minorAll priestly faculties permanently removed by the DioceseDied November 5, 2018Served at Annunziata in Houma, Sacred Heart in Cut Off, and Saint Genevieve in Thibodaux
CARLOS MELENDEZ
Priest of the Missionaries of Christ Crucified in El SalvadorAccused of inappropriate physical contact with a minor and pled guilty to misdemeanor batteryagainst a minorAll priestly faculties permanently removed within the DioceseUnited States Immigration returned him to his native El SalvadorCurrent status or location unknownServed in Diocesan Hispanic MinistryThe following priests are the subject of credible allegations of sexual molestation of a minor that were the subject of civil litigation:
ETIENNE LEBLANC
Ordained in 1971All priestly faculties permanently removed by the DioceseServed at Annunziata in Houma, Holy Cross in Morgan City, Holy Family in Dulac, Saint Eloi inTheriot, Sacred Heart in Cut Off, Saint Hilary in Mathews, and Saint Thomas Aquinas in Thibodaux
GERALD PRINZ
Ordained in 1968All priestly faculties permanently removed by the DioceseServed at Saint Francis de Sales in Houma, Saint Gregory in Houma, and Saint Louis in Bayou Blue
BERNARD SCHMALTZ
Ordained in 1973Died February 5, 2010All priestly faculties permanently removed within the DioceseServed at Annunziata in HoumaThe following priests are the subject of credible allegations of serious and unacceptable conduct with minors, ranging from inappropriate physical contact of a minor to molestation of a minor:
CLAUDE BOUDREAUX
Jesuit priest who offered weekend assistance in the Diocese of Houma-ThibodauxOrdained in 1955All priestly faculties permanently removed within the DioceseDied August 5, 2016
GERARD KINANE
Priest of the Archdiocese of New OrleansOrdained in 1973All priestly faculties permanently removed by the DioceseServed at Saint Hilary in Mathews
RAMON LUCE
Priest of the Diocese of San Pablo in the PhilippinesOrdained in 1995All priestly faculties permanently removed within the DioceseVoluntarily left the priesthoodServed at Holy Savior in Lockport
DAC NGUYEN
Priest of the Society of Domus DeiOrdained in 1988All priestly faculties permanently removed within the DioceseCurrent status or location unknownServed at Thanh Gia (Holy Family) in Amelia
DANIEL POCHE
Ordained in 1978All priestly faculties permanently removed by the DioceseServed at Holy Cross in Morgan City, Sacred Heart in Cut Off, Saint Bernadette in Houma, SaintFrancis de Sales in Houma, Saint Hilary in Mathews, and Saint Joseph in Chauvin