Internal Catholic church files obtained by the Guardian reveal that clergy leaders sought to extend the temporary role of Anthony Odiong, a priest recently convicted of sexual assault, despite multiple women accusing him of misconduct. Odiong was supposed to serve at St Anthony of Padua church in Luling, Louisiana, from 2015 to 2018. However, his supervisors extended his stint by three years despite complaints, and later moved to prolong it another six years until 2027.
Church Awareness and Delays
The documents show that Catholic church leaders in the Austin, Texas, region had received numerous misconduct complaints against Odiong while he served there from 2006 to 2012. They confidentially notified New Orleans officials in September 2018, three years after Odiong began working under them. Despite this, New Orleans officials left Odiong in place for over five years and continued to represent him as a person of good moral character.
Odiong was only removed after he made anti-LGBTQ+ comments from the pulpit in November 2023, months before his arrest. The records raise questions about whether church officials did enough to protect congregants, as policies against clergy abuse were not applied because his accusers were not minors or considered vulnerable adults.
Timeline of Complaints
Complaints against Odiong date back to 2010, when a woman accused him of biting her ear and inappropriate hugging. In 2011, a student reported suggestive comments and unwanted physical contact. That same year, a teenage boy claimed he caught Odiong having sex with his mother, though he later retracted the complaint. Despite these incidents, Odiong remained in ministry.
In 2018, a former Baylor student reported that Odiong inappropriately held and kissed her hand. The Austin diocese forwarded the complaint to New Orleans, but the response was minimal. In 2019, another woman reported a years-long sexual relationship with Odiong, but no significant action was taken.
Extensions and Letters of Good Standing
Despite the complaints, Odiong received multiple extensions. In 2018, the bishop of Uyo, Nigeria, granted him permission to remain at St Anthony for another three years. In 2021, Archbishop Gregory Aymond extended his term until 2027, praising his service. Meanwhile, the New Orleans archdiocese issued letters of good standing for Odiong, allowing him to officiate at weddings, funerals, and pilgrimages, often stating he was suitable to work with minors.
Conviction and Sentencing
Odiong was convicted of first- and second-degree sexual assault in May 2024 and sentenced to life imprisonment. The trial revealed that he had fathered a child with a congregant and had engaged in sexual misconduct with multiple women. The New Orleans archdiocese expressed disgust at his behavior, while the Austin diocese regretted the harm caused.
Victims criticized the church's response, with one stating that the diocese chose concealment over disclosure. The case highlights ongoing issues within the Catholic church regarding the handling of clergy abuse allegations.
