LAFAYETTE (LA)
The Advocate [Baton Rouge LA]
October 9, 2024
By Claire Taylor
Two victims of priest sex abuse and an activist, during a protest Wednesday on the sidewalk in front of St. John Cathedral in Lafayette, called on Catholics and others to spread the word about a Louisiana law that gives abuse victims three years to sue their abusers and the Catholic Church.
The state Supreme Court in June upheld a Louisiana law, approved in 2021 and amended in 2022, that extended until June 14, 2027, the deadline for sex abuse victims to sue.
The Catholic Diocese of Lafayette had challenged the 2021 “look back” law, arguing in court that it violated due process rights. The Supreme Court disagreed.
Priest abuse victim David Clohessy, former long-time national director of Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests and currently volunteer SNAP Missouri director, called on the public to spread the word about the extended deadline to sue. He especially encouraged Catholics, who sometimes complain about the slow drip of allegations, prosecutions, lawsuits and settlements.
“Spread the word so victims have their day in court and all predators, living and deceased, will be known to the public,” Clohessy said.
He also encouraged sex abuse survivors to summon the courage and strength to speak up about the abuse.
“It’s never easy to talk about this,” Clohessy said. “Litigation is not for everybody. But if you do want to see other people protected from your predator, this is one good opportunity to do that.”
The protestors on Wednesday also chastised the Diocese of Lafayette and its leaders for not including the names of all credibly known abusers on its public list and for fighting lawsuits filed by victims of priest sex abuse.
Quinn Hebert of Carencro, who is with a group called Tent Makers of Louisiana, referred to a lawsuit filed by John R.G. Doe in 15th Judicial District Court in Lafayette. Attorney Gil Dozier of Lafayette, who represents the diocese and St. Martin de Tours Church in St. Martinville, filed a challenge to publicly disclose the victim’s name.
Under public pressure in 2019 the Diocese of Lafayette released the names of clergy credibly accused of child abuse. That list, Clohessy said, does not include three former priests who served in the Diocese of Lafayette and are still alive that were included on lists by other dioceses and the Jesuit order.