Fr. Michael S. Guidry

Pastor of two parishes when the Diocese announced 6/2/2018 that Guidry was accused of the sexual abuse of a minor. The abuse occurred “several years” prior at St. Peter’s in Morrow. The victim was the son of a church deacon who served at the parish. Guidry was placed on leave. Guidry turned himself in to the Sheriff’s Office 6/13/2018 and confessed to sexually assaulting a 16-year-old boy, after plying him with alcohol. The victim filed suit in 8/2018. Guidry pleaded guilty in 3/2019. Ordered to register as a sex offender. Included on the Diocese’s list in 4/2019. Sentenced to 10 years in prison, three years suspended. Released on bail under house arrest in 4/2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Sent back to prison after sentencing appeals were denied. The Diocese issued an apology 5/7/2021; the victim’s family said they had settled the same week. Guidry was permanently removed from ministry. In early 2021 Guidry testified that after he molested the boy in 2015, he told fellow priests in a support group. He wasn’t removed until the boy came forward in 2018. Denied early release by the state parole board 8/17/2021. In 12/2023 the victim’s father resigned from the diocese’s diaconate and the Catholic Church  and joined an Anglican congregation because of “distressing revelations regarding sexual abuse scandals… .”  Bishop Deshotel informed the former deacon in 3/2024 that he had been excommunicated.