Fr. Gilbert Dutel

As early as 1987, Anthony Fontana, a well-known attorney in Louisiana, told newly-appointed Bishop Flynn that Dutel was accusing of coercing young adult men to have sex with him. Flynn merely told him that Dutel was “cured” and the diocese needed him because of priest shortage. In 1992, another young man told an attorney that Dutel abused him in the 1970s when he was ages 9-14. Fontana included the original information in a 1995 affidavit in an insurance case but nothing ever done. Dutel remained as active priest and was working as pastor of St. Edmond Catholic Church in Lafayette. He had also worked in elementary and high schools. In 2014 Dutel denied all allegations and remained active. Diocese was defending him and said it had no records regarding the investigation that cleared him. Bishop refused to release list of accused priests. DA has said he will not investigate further until a victim asks him to do so.