Archdiocese of New Orleans releases another list of priests and clergy credibly accused of sex abuse

NEW ORLEANS (WVUE) - The Archdiocese of New Orleans has released another list of priests and clergy credibly accused of sex abuse.

On Friday (Nov. 6), the Archdiocese of New Orleans issued a list of 27 clergy accused of abuse and a video of the archbishop apologizing for the pain and suffering that has caused.

Back in November 2018, the archdiocese first published what it called a report on clergy abuse, which included a list of 57 priests and other clergy who were credibly accused of abuse.

That list has grown since then. With the latest additions, it now stands at 105.

FOX 8 spoke with one survivor who is among hundreds of claimants waiting on their payment from least year’s $305 million deal with the archdiocese to settle a wave of clergy abuse lawsuits.

Aaron Hebert said he was just one of the multiple child victims of Lawrence Hecker. The former priest died two years ago after being convicted of rape and kidnapping. Hecker’s name appeared on the original list. In a video statement, Archbishop James F. Checchio said the publishing of the list is part of an effort of transparency.

Hebert said he doesn’t trust what the church is saying.

Ten people on the list have died. Friday’s list also includes clergy accused in their home diocese or religious order and were named in the bankruptcy of abusing a survivor in the archdiocese of new Orleans.

As part the bankruptcy settlement, the archdiocese pledged to implement reforms and safeguards it described would be the gold standard of child protection. The archdiocese said releasing the new list is part of that. But survivors like Aaron Hebert said they believe the church knew of the names long ago and should have made them public sooner.

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