NEW ORLEANS (LA)
WDSU [New Orleans LA]
November 21, 2025
By Erin Lowrey
The Archdiocese of New Orleans bankruptcy trial continued Friday with testimony from a survivor and the incoming archbishop.
The survivor, Patricia Moody, was called to the stand to describe her story of abuse through the archdiocese.
Moody testified that she was abused when she was 8 years old by a credibly-accused priest.
When the list was published in November 2018, she learned her abuser was dead and had been excommunicated.
She said she waited for weeks after making her report for the archdiocese to reach back out.
“I waited for my next instructions, and there were none,” Moody testified.
According to Moody, she then took her report of abuse to attorneys. She says her legal team treated her better than the archdiocese did.
Moody has been part of the Survivors Committee and told Judge Meredith Grabill that someone has to protect children. She is hopeful that survivors will be allowed on the review board for any future sex abuse claims.
“I want the church to be a safer place,” Moody said.
Grabill apologized to Moody and then questioned Coadjutor Most Rev. James Checchio, who will take over for Archbishop Gregory Aymond after he retires.
Checchio admitted he did not know all the details of the settlement plan but did speak on his experience handling sex abuse claims while he was in New Jersey.
He said their review board consisted of a county prosecutor and a former attorney general.
Checchio said Moody’s experience with her report not being recorded would “be impossible” with the system set up in New Jersey.
Checchio apologized to Moody and said, “Storms in life can make us better. God bless you.”
The bankruptcy trial is set to end Dec. 4. Sex abuse survivors are expected to receive payments in the new year from the settlement.