Fr. Patrick Wattigny

Ordained: 1994
Status: Guilty plea

Diocese: Archdiocese of New Orleans LA

Full name Brian Patrick Wattigny. 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 a 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 a 9-year-old 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. Denied parole 6/12/2025.

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