NEW ORLEANS (LA)
WDSU-TV [includes video]
July 1, 2020
The death of former Deacon George Brignac halted the only ongoing criminal case involving a local member of the Catholic clergy. The 85-year-old was awaiting trial on a rape charge when he died Monday.
He was one of 15 living priests and deacons the Archdiocese of New Orleans has identified since November 2018 as being credibly accused of sexual abuse. So far, Brignac is the only one to face a criminal accusation, a first-degree rape charge dating back to his time at Our Lady of the Rosary in New Orleans in the 1970s. He taught math at the church school and was in charge of its altar boys at the time.
No criminal charges have been brought against the other living clergy, but their accusers fear the clock is ticking. Most are in their 70s and 80s.
“These men are aging, and we don’t want them to age out of being punished for sex crimes … against children,” said Kevin Bourgeois, with the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests.
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