NEW ORLEANS (LA)
WVUE [New Orleans LA]
September 25, 2025
By Thanh Truong
It may be unrealistic to expect a fully developed strategy against clergy sex abuse from Coadjutor Archbishop James Checchio just days after his appointment. The Archdiocese of New Orleans introduced him as its next leader less than 48 hours ago.
“So, I need to get to know people, to get to know the parishes, to get to know the institutions, to get to know those who all who make this archdiocese the great place that it is,” Checchio said at a news conference Wednesday at Notre Dame Seminary.
Incoming New Orleans archbishop aims to grow archdiocese
Checchio, a New Jersey native, may be unfamiliar with New Orleans, but he is no stranger to the long shadow of clergy sex abuse.
“It’s a dark part of our history. I grew up with it. My whole generation grew up with it. I was ordained a priest in 1992. One of our priests was arrested that same year for sex abuse. So, we’ve grown up with it,” Checchio said.
That same crisis has left deep scars in New Orleans. The archdiocese is in one of the costliest church bankruptcies in recent U.S. history. It filed for bankruptcy protection in 2020, following more than 600 claims of clergy abuse.
Faith community reacts to Pope Leo’s choice for New Orleans’ new archbishop
“One of my major responsibilities will be to see the bankruptcy to its end. And we’re almost there. We expect it to be finished by December,” said current Archbishop Gregory Aymond.
Checchio will take over only after Aymond officially retires — a retirement contingent on the conclusion of the bankruptcy proceedings. For many survivors, the process — now entering its fifth year — remains a source of lasting pain.
“Survivors are hurting right now,” Richard Coon said.
Coon is one of hundreds of claimants in the case. He says the abuse he endured drove him away from the Catholic Church. While he isn’t sure whether the new archbishop could inspire his return, elements of Checchio’s past leadership offer some hope.
New Orleans’ incoming archbishop holds positive outlook as local church faces challenges
“I don’t know much about him yet. I’ve just seen the letter that he wrote to the Catholic faithful in the diocese where he is now in addressing the clergy abuse crisis. He was adamant. He did not mince words. He condemned the way the previous leadership in the church handled the clergy abuse crisis,” Coon said.
Asked about accountability, Checchio reflected on his tenure in the Diocese of Metuchen in New Jersey and some of the actions he took during that time.
“We worked hand-in-hand with law enforcement. I hired a former prosecutor from our diocese to be my chancellor. And he helped me tremendously, to learn what to do, and how to do it in regard to making sure that we didn’t mess up,” Checchio said.
Pope Leo XIV appoints Archbishop of New Orleans Aymond’s successor
Whether similar measures will be part of his approach in New Orleans remains to be seen. But before he can act, the bankruptcy must be finalized.
The next step rests with survivors, who must now decide whether to approve a proposed $230 million settlement from the church — a church many have already walked away from.