Fr. Patrick Wattigny

Ordained: 1994
Status: Charged

Diocese: Archdiocese of New Orleans LA

Wattigny was pastor of St. Luke the Evangelist in Slidell, since 2013, when he told archdiocesan officials on 10/1/2020 that he sexually abused a minor in 2013. Removed from assignment, law enforcement notified. About four months prior Wattigny resigned from Pope JP II High School, where he was chaplain, after sending a male student inappropriate texts. Sent for psych evaluation. Other assignments included chaplain at Archbishop Rummel High School in Metairie for over ten years until 5/2013, and pastor of St. Benilde in Metairie 2000-2013. Arrested in Georgia later in 10/2020. Added to the archdiocese’s list in 12/2020. Charged in 3/2021 with molesting a boy, age 15, 6/1/2013-8/31/2014. Pleaded not guilty. Subject of FBI investigation in 2022. Arrested again in 10/2022 for the  abuse of an elementary school-aged boy in the mid-1990s. Pleaded guilty in 7/2023 to molesting both boys. Sentenced to five years in prison and five years’ probation. Required to register as a sex offender.

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.