LOS ANGELES (CA)
Christianity Daily
October 6 2020
By Alex Best
Patrick Wattigny, a former reverend assigned to Pope John Paul II High School, St. Elizabeth Anne Seton, and St. Peter among other locations, came forward to report that he had sexually abused a minor in 2013. This report of the minor’s sexual abuse was revealed due to the investigations into Wattigny’s inappropriate behavior as Chaplain of Pope John Paul II High School in Slidell.
Wattigny had been under disciplinary investigation by the New Orleans Archdiocese for sending a student at Pope John Paul II unprofessional text messages that could constitute as “grooming.” As a result of the investigation, Wattigny resigned from his post, as well as reported himself for sexual abuse. Wattigny has now been added to the New Orleans Archdiocese Clergy Abuse Report list.
Along with Wattigny, former Reverend Travis Clark has also been removed from ministry for obscenity with women. However, the Archdiocese has confirmed that the charge does not involve a minor.
In response to these incidences, SNAP New Orleans released a statement calling out the Archdiocese of New Orleans to take immediate action and outreach to prevent further incidents and encourage any other victims to come forward.
Note: This is an Abuse Tracker excerpt. Click the title to view the full text of the original article. If the original article is no longer available, see our News Archive.