NEW ORLEANS (LA)
People Magazine [New York NY]
February 11, 2026
By Abigail Adams
Gregory Aymond, whose resignation was accepted on Feb. 11, recently completed a meeting with survivors of the molestation scandal
NEED TO KNOW
- Pope Leo XIV accepted the resignation of Gregory Aymond, Roman Catholic archbishop of New Orleans, on Feb. 11
- Aymond reportedly submitted his resignation in November 2024, but it was not immediately accepted as the Archdiocese of New Orleans worked to settle a federal bankruptcy protection case
- The archdiocese and its insurers agreed to a $305 million settlement for about 600 abuse survivors in December 2025
A top official within the Catholic Church has resigned as an estimated 600 sexual abuse survivors prepare to split a $305 million settlement.
Pope Leo XIV accepted the resignation of Gregory Aymond, Roman Catholic archbishop of New Orleans, on Wednesday, Feb. 11, the Archdiocese of New Orleans said in a statement.
He will be replaced by the Most Rev. James F. Checchio, who had served as coadjutor archbishop since September, officials said. Before his move, Checchio had been the former bishop of Metuchen, New Jersey, NOLA.com and The Guardian reported.
“These three months since my arrival in New Orleans have gone by very quickly as I learn more about our local Church and seek to understand how God is calling me to best serve this beautiful part of His vineyard,” Checchio said in a statement shared in the release.
This move comes one day after Aymond concluded meetings with survivors of a clergy molestation scandal, according to The Guardian and NBC affiliate WDSU.
Aymond submitted his resignation as required in November 2024 when he turned 75 years old, The Guardian reported. But it was not immediately accepted as the New Orleans Archdiocese worked to settle a federal bankruptcy protection case they filed in 2020.
In December 2025, one month after Checchio was formally welcomed, the New Orleans Archdiocese and its insurers reportedly agreed to a $305 million settlement for about 600 abuse survivors, who found themselves caught up in the bankruptcy.
As part of the settlement, Aymond scheduled meetings with some of the survivors, according to Fox affiliate WVUE. He also issued a letter of apology on Jan. 3, though some survivors rejected it.
When asked why the meetings were scheduled during Carnival and Super Bowl weekend, Aymond told CBS affiliate WWL that he was not sure when his resignation would be accepted and wanted to meet with survivors beforehand.
The archdiocese said in its release that Checchio will mark his first Mass as Archbishop of New Orleans on Feb. 18, which is Ash Wednesday.
PEOPLE has reached out to the New Orleans Archdiocese for comment on Wednesday.
“Leadership changes within the Catholic Church may signal a new chapter, but for survivors of clergy abuse, accountability must mean more than symbolism. It requires full transparency from Church leadership, the release of records, independent oversight, and concrete reforms to ensure abuse is never concealed again,” Attorney Reagan Charleston Thomas tells PEOPLE in a statement.
“No settlement can undo decades of trauma,” Thomas adds. “The true measure of justice will be whether the Church prioritizes survivors over institutional reputation and commits to meaningful, lasting change that protects children going forward.”
If you or someone you know has been a victim of sexual abuse, text “STRENGTH” to the Crisis Text Line at 741-741 to be connected to a certified crisis counselor.