NEW ORLEANS (LA)
WVUE - Fox 8 [New Orleans LA]
November 6, 2026
By Thanh Truong
[Includes a link to a video message by Archbishop James Checchio. That video message is also available on YouTube here.]
On Friday (Nov. 6), the Archdiocese of New Orleans issued a list of 27 names it deems credibly accused of abuse. In a video statement, Archbishop James Checchio says publishing the list is part of an effort toward transparency.
“I’m the new archbishop you know that I’ve not been here a year even but I’m the new archbishop and it’s my job and I pledge that we certainly will do everything possible to not allow these things to continue or ever happen again in our church,” said Archbishop James Checchio of the Archdiocese of New Orleans.
Aaron Hebert is among hundreds of claimants who are still waiting for their payment from last year’s $305 million bankruptcy deal with the archdiocese to settle a wave of previous clergy abuse claims. Hebert says he was one of the multiple child victims of Lawrence Hecker. The former priest died two years ago after being convicted of rape and kidnapping. Hebert says he believes the church is hiding the true number of corrupt clergy members.
“They are complacent in the abuse that we’ve gotten as victims and survivors. They’ve always turned a cheek on us, and they were never there truly to help us. There are names to that list,” said Aaron Hebert.
The archdiocese says the ten clergy members named on the list have died. The new list also includes non-clergy accused in their home diocese or religious order but were also named in the recent bankruptcy involving the Archdiocese of New Orleans. Back in November of 2018, the archdiocese first published what it called a report on clergy abuse, which included a list of 57 priests and other clergy. That list grew over the years. With the latest additions, it now stands at 105. Archbishop Checchio says the local church is doing what it can to improve child protection.
“We have no priests with accusations who are in ministry, accusations that have not been unfounded. So, we have nobody in ministry who’s been accused that’s been found credible,” Archbishop Checchio said in the video statement.
Richard Trahant is an attorney who represented 75 claimants in the bankruptcy battle against the Archdiocese of New Orleans. He believes the archdiocese knew of these names long ago and questions why it waited this long to make them public.
“I watched Archbishop Checchio’s video. To me it almost seems like a hostage video, like it was forced and insincere. You say all the buzzwords and ok that takes care of everything, but it doesn’t erase the generations of child rape and cover-up,” said Richard Trahant.
To view the updated list of credibly accused individuals, visit: Report on Clergy Abuse – Archdiocese of New Orleans – New Orleans, LA
To view the archbishop’s statement, visit: An Important Message from Archbishop Checchio