Fr. Paul S. Hart

Ordained: 1989
Status: Accused

Diocese: Archdiocese of New Orleans LA

In 2012 a woman reported to the archdiocese that when she was a 17-year-old high school student in 1990 Hart sexually abused her. She was a participant in the CYO at St. Ann’s in Metarie, where Hart was assigned. The archdiocesan review board determined that Hart had abused the girl. Because canon law at the time stated that adulthood was at age 16, Archbishop Aymond told the Vatican that Hart had not abused a minor. Hart was allowed to remain in active ministry. In 1/2022 he stepped down from his job as chaplain of Brother Martin High School after the school learned of the earlier allegation. Hart and the archdiocese reportedly said his retirement was due to health issues. Further, Hart said that he had never been accused of misconduct with anyone under age 18.


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