A Roman Catholic priest in south-west Louisiana has been arrested on serious allegations of child abuse, casting a renewed shadow over a diocese with a long and troubled history of clergy misconduct. The arrest of Korey LaVergne follows a detailed report obtained by The Guardian, which outlines disturbing accusations against the clergyman.
Initial Report Details Allegations
According to an initial investigative report acquired through a public records request, local authorities in Acadia parish were informed that LaVergne had "inappropriately touched a child" on multiple occasions over the past year. The complaint, received by deputies on the evening of 2 December, alleged that the incidents occurred at St Edward Catholic church in Richard, where LaVergne served as pastor.
The report states that the accuser disclosed the alleged abuse to a third party, prompting the investigation. LaVergne was subsequently booked on three counts of indecent behaviour with a juvenile and jailed on the evening of 16 January. He secured his release after posting a $15,000 bail bond, pending the outcome of the legal proceedings.
Legal Definitions and Potential Penalties
Under Louisiana state law, indecent behaviour with a juvenile is defined as "any lewd or lascivious act ... in the presence of any child under the age of 17". The legislation explicitly states that messages, including text communications, and actions perceived as grooming can constitute this offence. Conviction for this crime can carry a prison sentence of up to seven years in many cases.
The sheriff's office initially declined to provide specific details regarding the nature of the allegations, indicating that further information would be released as the investigation progressed.
Diocese Confronts Historic Abuse Scandal
LaVergne's arrest arrives at a critical moment for the Lafayette diocese, to which St Edward church belongs. Founded in 1918 and serving approximately 150,000 Catholics, the diocese recently disclosed a staggering financial estimate in a November report. It projected that the total range of potential loss from pending litigation could be between $88.1 million and $162.4 million.
This financial revelation is rooted in a dark chapter of the diocese's past. The exposure of priest Gilbert Gauthe in the 1980s effectively brought the international Catholic clergy molestation scandal to the United States. Gauthe pleaded guilty in 1985 to molesting several boys and served a ten-year prison sentence. His case triggered a wave of similar allegations across the country, resulting in billions of dollars in settlements and numerous criminal convictions for the Catholic church.
Recent Settlements in Louisiana
The shadow of abuse extends beyond Lafayette. Approximately 135 miles east, the Catholic archdiocese of New Orleans agreed in December to a settlement of around $305 million. This compensation is for roughly 600 survivors of clergy molestation. The New Orleans archdiocese had sought federal bankruptcy protection over five years ago, a direct consequence of the financial fallout from the global clergy abuse scandal.
Background of the Accused Priest
Korey LaVergne was ordained into the priesthood in 2018, according to a biography on the St Edward church website. He was appointed pastor of the church in July 2021. Prior to his arrest, LaVergne held the position of official courier for the Lafayette diocese.
In this role, he garnered media attention for transporting thousands of documents to the Vatican. These papers outlined the cause for sainthood for Charlene Richard, a young girl known as the "Little Cajun Saint". Richard died from leukaemia at the age of 12 in 1959 and is celebrated for offering her suffering to God. She is buried at St Edward church, the same location where the alleged abuse by LaVergne is said to have occurred.
Complaint and Diocesan Response
Local news station KADN reported that the complaint leading to LaVergne's arrest was filed by a fellow priest. In response to the arrest, the Lafayette diocese issued a formal statement. It affirmed that the diocese would "continue to assist law enforcement" and requested prayers for all individuals involved in the case.
Attempts to reach LaVergne for comment on the allegations have been unsuccessful. The case continues to develop as investigators proceed with their enquiries into the serious charges against the clergyman.
