Baton Rouge list of clergy accused of abuse grows to 40 with two new additions

NEW ORLEANS (LA)
The Advocate

February 27, 2019

By Andrea Gallo

The Diocese of Baton Rouge added two more Catholic clerics Wednesday to its list of those who have been credibly accused of sexual abuse with a minor, increasing the diocese’s tally of abusive clergymen to 40.

When Baton Rouge Bishop Michael Duca released the diocese’s initial list a month ago, Duca said the list would evolve over time, and likely grow. The diocese has already updated its list once, earlier this month. The newest additions come on the heels of a worldwide summit Pope Francis convened about clerical sexual abuse, in which the pontiff called for an “all-out battle” against it.

The two names added to the Diocese of Baton Rouge’s list Wednesday are the Rev. Barry Finbar Coyle and the Rev. John Hardman. Though both spent time ministering in Baton Rouge, the accusations against them were lodged in other dioceses. Diocese of Baton Rouge spokesman Dan Borne said Wednesday that the diocese had received no allegations about either priest.

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