Diocese of Lafayette Sexual Abuse Lawsuit
The Roman Catholic Diocese of Lafayette in Louisiana has been hit with dozens of lawsuits alleging decades of sexual abuse by priests and other clergy. Lafayette was the site of one of the first major U.S. Catholic clergy criminal abuse cases in the 1980s. Louisiana’s lookback window has been extended to June 2027, giving many survivors a renewed opportunity to file, regardless of when the abuse occurred.
- The Diocese of Lafayette is a Catholic Diocese in Louisiana with a documented, decades-long history of sexual abuse of minors by clergy members.
- Dozens of lawsuits have been filed against the Diocese of Lafayette since it released a list of credibly accused clergy in 2022.
- If you or a loved one suffered sexual abuse by clergy in the Diocese of Lafayette, you have legal rights and options for seeking accountability.
A History of Abuse in the Diocese of Lafayette
In 2025, at least 13 lawsuits were filed against the Catholic Diocese of Lafayette over alleged sexual abuse of minors by clergy members. Since June 2024, 50 lawsuits have been filed against the diocese. In 2022, the Diocese released a list naming clergy who had been credibly accused of abuse, and watchdog organizations have tracked over 50 accused individuals connected to the diocese.
The criminal conviction and sentencing of former priest Gilbert Gauthe in the 1980s was a watershed moment for the Diocese of Lafayette. It was among the first criminal indictments of a Catholic priest for child sexual abuse in the country.
Lafayette Clergy Members Credibly Accused of Abuse
Below is a list of priests who have been credibly accused of sexually abusing minors or vulnerable adults in the Diocese of Lafayette, published by the Diocese in 2022:
| Priest Name | Current Status |
|---|---|
| Joseph Alexander | Removed from ministry |
| Jules Arceneaux | Removed from ministry |
| Susai Arul | Deceased |
| Stanley Begnaud | Deceased |
| Michael Benedict | Deceased |
| David Broussard | Incarcerated |
| Richard J. Chachere | Deceased |
| David Anderson Coupar | Resigned |
| Armand Cyr | Deceased |
| Herbert de Launay | Removed from ministry |
| John deLeeuw | Deceased |
| Michael DesJardins | Resigned |
| John Anthony Engbers | Deceased |
| Ronald Lane Fontenot | Deceased |
| Gilbert John Gauthe | Convicted |
| Aldeo Fernand Gilbert | Deceased |
| Michael Guidry | Incarcerated |
| Lloyd Hebert | Deceased |
| Michael Herpin | Removed from ministry |
| Marshall Larriviere | Deceased |
| Robert Limoges | Removed from ministry |
| Keith Anthony Potier | Deceased |
| David Primeaux | Deceased |
| Valerie Pullman | Deceased |
| Harry Quick | Deceased |
| Richard Rieboldt | Removed from ministry |
| Robie Robichaux | Removed from ministry |
| Jody Simoneaux | Removed from ministry |
| Gerard Smit | Deceased |
| Jean Toussaint | Deceased |
| Adrian Walter Van Hal | Deceased |
| Cornelius Van Merrianboer | Deceased |
| Rosaire Veilleux | Deceased |
| Charles Zaunbrecher | Deceased |
Four deacons were also listed as credibly accused of abuse, including Lester Breaux, Willis Broussard, Leonard J. Freyou, and Louis Hanemann.
Diocese of Lafayette Lawsuits
One of the most recent lawsuits against the Diocese of Lafayette was filed by the husband of a now-deceased victim who allegedly reported the abuse she endured to diocesan leaders. Instead of being removed, her abuser was sent to counseling, then promoted to monsignor. Later, the victim’s entire file with the diocese disappeared.
Two other recent lawsuits allege abuse by former priest Gilbert Gauthe, a now-defrocked Acadiana clergy member who was the first priest in the U.S. to be criminally indicted for sexually abusing hundreds of children. Gauthe pleaded guilty to molesting 34 children, but only served 10 years in prison before moving to Texas, where he still lives today.
A third recent lawsuit alleges an altar boy at Our Lady of Perpetual Help in New Iberia was abused by Rev. Ronald Layne Fontenot every time he attended church between 1975 and 1977.
Meet Our Trusted Legal Partners
For over 50 years, Milberg has held powerful defendants accountable — let us fight for you.
Who Can File a Lawsuit Against the Diocese of Lafayette?
Survivors and family members may be eligible to file a child sexual abuse lawsuit in Louisiana over abuse by clergy in the Diocese of Lafayette. This includes any survivors abused as minors by priests, deacons, nuns, teachers, or other diocese-affiliated staff, including survivors whose claims were previously barred by Louisiana’s old statute of limitations. In limited circumstances, survivors’ family members or estates may be able to file claims on their behalf.
Who Can Be Sued?
Multiple parties may be liable in a Diocese of Lafayette sexual abuse lawsuit, depending on the circumstances of the case. This may include:
- Individual clergy or staff members
- The Diocese of Lafayette and individual parishes and churches
- Schools or other diocese-affiliated institutions where the abuse occurred
Louisiana's Lookback Window: What Survivors Need to Know
The Louisiana Legislature amended the state’s statute of limitations for child sexual abuse lawsuits in 2021 by eliminating the filing deadline for any future claims arising from child sexual abuse. In addition, the legislature passed a law that opened a “lookback window” for child sexual abuse lawsuits, reviving claims that had previously been time-barred by the previous statute of limitations. Though the lookback window was originally set to last three years, it was renewed in August 2024 and is now active through June 14, 2027.
After the lookback window expires in 2027, survivors will still have no deadline to file suit over abuse that has occurred after 2021. Survivors can also sue a person convicted of a crime against a child at any time after the conviction.
Potential Future Changes to the Lookback Window
In 2026, Louisiana lawmakers introduced House Bill 409, which would keep the lookback window open another two years until June 14, 2029. The legislation is currently pending in the Louisiana House of Representatives’ Committee on Civil Law and Procedure.
How a Clergy Abuse Lawyer Can Help Survivors
An experienced clergy abuse lawyer can provide survivors with trauma-informed representation and support. They can investigate the abuse, gather evidence, build a strong claim, and pursue the compensation you deserve.
With no upfront legal fees and free, confidential case evaluations, our legal partners offer crucial support to survivors of sexual abuse and their loved ones. Get legal help today.
Want To Speak With A Lawyer?
