No priest abuse in Shreveport Diocese since '86, administrator says

The Shreveport Times
November 09, 2018

https://www.shreveporttimes.com/story/news/2018/11/09/no-priest-abuse-shreveport-diocese-since-86-administrator-says/1947918002/

The top administrator for the Catholic Diocese of Shreveport announced late Friday that the diocese had received no reports of clerical abuse of children since at least 1986.

The Rev. Peter B. Mangum, diocesan administrator, made the announcement in a prepared statement just before 5 p.m.

Mangum said the announcement was based on a review of the files of all priests, living and dead, who served the diocese since its creation in 1986. Before then, the diocese was constituted differently as the Diocese of Alexandria-Shreveport.

Mangum said the review included priests in the diocese and those in religious orders, whether native or foreign born. The review included priests, bishops and deacons, he said.

Mangum was named diocesan administrator in August following the departure of Bishop Michael Duca for the Diocese of Baton Rouge. A new bishop has not been appointed.

The Shreveport diocese covers 16 parishes in north Louisiana, including Caddo, Bossier and Ouachita.

Mangum said the review was conducted by "a lay professional and local attorney, without the presence of any clergy or employee of the diocese."

He cautioned that priests who served in North Louisiana before 1986 my be disclosed publicly when the Diocese of Alexandria completes its review of files.

"The release of those names and the parishes in which they served may be difficult for many," Mangum said. "Some may be surprised to see the name of a priest who served in their parish or who was personally known to them.

"There may be, no doubt, disappointment and horror with the realization of such unspeakable immorality harming many youth and their families."

The diocesan administrator said the Shreveport diocese would release the names of any priests and deacons who are removed from ministry related to an allegation of sexual abuse of a minor.

Mangum repeated a Nov. 2 statement from Archbishop Gregory M. Aymond of New Orleans:

"To the victims and survivors, my heart and prayerful support go out to you that you may know God’s healing and compassion.

"Anyone who is a victim of sexual abuse by clergy, please know of my willingness to meet with you so that I may walk with you in healing. For our sins of the past, we ask for your forgiveness and for the mercy of God. Our sin is public and it calls us as Church leaders to repentance in order that our Church can experience renewal."