NEW ORLEANS (LA)
Nola.com [New Orleans, LA]
December 7, 2023
By Michelle Hunter
The Archdiocese of New Orleans has abruptly dismissed the Rev. Anthony Odiong from St. Anthony of Padua Church in Luling and filed a report with a law enforcement agency about the clergyman.
Odiong’s exit came shortly after Nov. 26 Mass, during which he made disparaging remarks about LGBTQ+ people.
Archdiocese officials on Thursday didn’t disclose any details about what they reported to law enforcement, although they did say it was related to the reasons that Odiong was asked to leave the church. Officials said their “concerns” about Odiong didn’t involve the abuse of minors or a member of the St. Anthony Parish.
But Odiong is facing allegations of abusive behavior. A woman who has known the priest since 2007 has accused him of years of controlling, manipulative and lewd behavior that included sexual and financial abuse, said her attorney, Kristi Schubert.
The woman filed allegations in U.S. Bankruptcy Court as the archdiocese goes through Chapter 11 reorganization in the wake of mounting clergy sex abuse claims.
Odiong’s attorney, Stephen Haedicke, said Thursday that his client categorically denies the false allegations that have been made against him.
“Here, not a single law enforcement agency has taken this accuser seriously, a fact which goes a long way towards showing her claims are simply unworthy of belief,” Haedicke said.
Odiong’s dismissal was first reported Thursday by The Guardian newspaper.
Departure hastened
Odiong was supposed to continue ministering to the St. Anthony’s flock until January. But Archdiocese officials moved up his exit date after the Nov. 26 Mass, which was livestreamed.
During the Homily, Odiong spoke of a divided church that was being taken over by “the gays.”
“We’re going to begin to bless all kinds of monkeys and animals and chimpanzees. And priests who will not do it will be persecuted,” said Odiong, who later he wouldn’t be safe from such persecution.
Archdiocese officials said Odiong misrepresented why he was leaving the parish.
In Masses delivered at St. Anthony on Saturday and Sunday, the congregation was told, “Unfortunately, Father Anthony’s words and actions since being informed of this decision have led us to taking action to relieve him as pastor now.”
Priest on loan
Odiong was born, raised and ordained as a priest in Nigeria, according to his biography. He was serving in the United States “on loan” from the Nigerian Catholic Diocese of Uyo, according to the New Orleans Archdiocese.
Before coming to Louisiana, Odiong served in Texas, including four years as director of campus ministry at St. Peter’s Catholic Student Center at Baylor University.
Odiong was appointed to St. Anthony in Luling in 2015. It’s not clear when, but the Archdiocese of New Orleans said they were made aware of “concerns… about Father Anthony’s ministry” that occurred prior to and possibly during his time here.
“In light of this, Archbishop [Gregory] Aymond communicated with Father Anthony’s bishop in Uyo, who subsequently called Father Anthony back to his home diocese as soon as possible to address these concerns,” the Archdiocese statement said.
Though the Archdiocese said Odiong was called back to Nigeria, during the Nov. 26 Mass, Odiong said he was headed to Florida.
The church appointed Father Vinh Luu as a temporary administrator at St. Anthony of Padua.
Email Michelle Hunter at mhunter@theadvocate.com or follow her on Twitter, @MichelleHunter.