LOUISIANA
The Advertiser
Ken Stickney and Claire Taylor, kstickney@theadvertiser.com, cxtaylor@theadvertiser.com
August 15, 2014
Lafayette Bishop Michael Jarrell confirmed today that at least some of the 15 diocesan priests who were credibly accused in child molestation incidents that led to diocesan payout settlements are beyond the point where the diocese knows what they are doing.
Seven of the 15 have died, the bishop said. Of the remaining eight, none are involved in ministry and five have moved away, he said. But in some cases, the bishop concedes, “Monitoring their activities is practically impossible.”
The bishop’s disclosures and comments came in response to a series of written questions submitted to Jarrell by The Daily Advertiser through the Rev. Richard Greene, media liaison for the diocese.
“When these men move out of the diocese, we sometimes know where they are moving. If so, we inform that Diocese,” the bishop said in one written response to a question. The bishop also said that when prospective employers seek information about the former priests, “We respond truthfully.”
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