Fr. Kenneth Morvant
In 8/2018 a man stated publicly that Morvant repeatedly sexually abused him over two years, beginning when he was an 8-year-old altar boy at St. Martin de Tours in Martinville. The man stated there were 45 known victims, and that Morvant abused hundreds. He said that most of the abuse occurred in the parish rectory, and that Morvant would ply his victims with alcohol. The abuse allegedly involved Morvant masturbating in front of the children as well as oral sex and sodomy. The man also said that his brother and cousin were victims who died by suicide. Morvant died 12/13/2003. The alleged victim and 10 other men filed a lawsuit in 8/2018. Some of the plaintiffs claimed that they were abused for eight years. In 1/2024 the LA Supreme Court heard the civil case brought by six plaintiffs alleging abuse by Morvant decades prior when they were ages 8-14. In 3/2024 the LA Supreme Court ruled unconstitutional a law that passed in 2021 opening a window to allow victims to sue perpetrators of child sexual abuse beyond the state’s usual 1-year statute of limitations.
Return to main database page. See abbreviations and posting policy. Send corrections.
Our Database of Publicly Accused does not state or imply that individuals facing allegations are guilty of a crime or liable for civil claims. The reports contained in the database are merely allegations. The U.S. legal system presumes that a person accused of or charged with a crime is innocent until proven guilty. Similarly, individuals who may be defendants in civil actions are presumed not to be liable for such claims unless a plaintiff proves otherwise. Admissions of guilt or liability are not typically a part of civil or private settlements. For more information, see our posting policy.