BATON ROUGE (LA)
Diocese of Baton Rouge Homepage
[Another version of this statement was posted here.]
On November 8, 2017, the Diocese of Baton Rouge received from a woman in her thirties a written allegation of sexual misconduct against a priest of this diocese, Fr. Eric Gyan, currently Pastor of St. Theresa of Avila Parish in Gonzales. The misconduct was alleged to have occurred in 1996 when the woman was a minor and Fr. Gyan was pastor of St. John the Baptist Parish in Brusly. This is the only such complaint the diocese has ever received about Fr. Gyan. The diocese’s victim assistance coordinator, Mrs. Amy Cordon, has spoken to the person making the allegation and offered assistance on behalf of the diocese. Following the diocese’s own Policy Regarding Sexual Abuse of Minors by an Employee when an allegation is made, and in compliance with the U.S. Bishops’ Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People, the diocese immediately notified civil officials of the allegation and assured them of our full cooperation. The diocese also informed the person who made the allegation that she had the right to contact civil officials. As required by canon law, and the aforementioned policies, trained professional lay persons were appointed by the diocese to conduct a preliminary inquiry into the matter. In addition, the Independent Review Board of the diocese was notified. The investigation is ongoing and to this point has not yielded any cause to remove Fr. Gyan from his current pastoral service. Fr. Gyan has categorically denied the allegation. The diocese takes such allegations very seriously. If anyone has information that can assist the diocese concerning this matter, please contact Mrs. Amy Cordon in the diocesan Victim Assistance Office at 225-242-0250.
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