LAFAYETTE (LA)
The Advocate [Baton Rouge LA]
February 26, 2024
By Ray Mouton
The worldwide clergy child sex abuse crisis and scandal ignited forty years ago in The Catholic Diocese of Lafayette.
On Jan. 23, I watched arguments before the Louisiana Supreme Court on the question of the constitutionality of a law that created an opportunity for child victims to prosecute civil claims against priests and bishops that would have prescribed under the law that existed prior to the adoption of this new law relating to prescription. The two cases before the court were from the Catholic Diocese of Lafayette. What began there must end here.
When arguments were held before the Louisiana State Supreme Court, Chief Justice John Weimer seemed prepared to elevate a pedophile priest and his bishop’s “vested right” not to be sued over ordinary citizens’ rights of life, liberty and property. All of those fundamental rights require a due process analysis, like expropriation. Justice Weimer appeared to endorse the church’s argument that no such analysis is necessary when assessing the constitutionality of a statute that gives more time to sue pedophiles and their protectors.
The Legislature passed the law unanimously; two trial courts and an appeals court have ruled it constitutional with both the past and present Louisiana attorneys general filing briefs arguing the law is constitutional. The language of the law is clear, unmistakable and unambiguous, as is the language of the Louisiana Constitution.
The injustice that began in Louisiana 40 years ago must end now with justice being administered by the Louisiana Supreme Court in the service of the current law of Louisiana that is clear. The decision of the court must place Louisiana on the right side of the law and the right side of history on this issue.