LOUISIANA
The Advertiser
Judy Bastien
Recent allegations of sex abuse of a child by a local priest has sent ripples through the congregation at St. Edmond Catholic Church and at the same time has spurred them to rally in support of its pastor.
“I’m very sad that a leader of my parish has had to go through this,” said Bob Chaney of the Rev. Gilbert Dutel — “Father Gil,” to his parishioners. Chaney, who called Dutel “an inspiring man,” firmly believes in his innocence, as it seems, does the whole congregation.
Last weekend, Dutel received standing ovations from his parishioners during Mass.
“If a person is innocent, it’s fabulous to have support of a community that believes in you,” said Kathryn Elliott, who holds a doctorate in psychology and is in private practice at the Anthetic Psychology Center. “That’s archetypical, loving support.”
But that kind of support can cut both ways. A support system that protects the guilty does the community a disservice.
It should be said that accusations do not always constitute guilt.
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