Diocese releases list of priest accused of sexual abuse

The Diocese of Lafayette released a list of 33 priests and four deacons who have been credibly accused of sexual abuse of minors or vulnerable adults.
The list is a result of an investigation by the diocese’s Lay Person Review Board that began last October. The board sifted through records dating back to the beginning of the diocese in 1918 and sifted through more than 300,000 pages.
Bishop Douglas Deshotel, in a statement, said the process in identifying other credible accusations will be ongoing and said he hopes “the disclosure list will be a catalyst for continued reporting of past or future instances of abuse.”
The bishop expressed the need to remain vigilant in combatting such kinds of sexual abuse. Part of the way in doing this are the safe environment programs. “Our safe environment programs continue to equip our clergy and lay volunteers with the tools to recognize and report signs of abuse,” said the bishop in his statement.
Also in his statement, the bishop urged parishioners across the diocese to “offer a word of encouragement to the many faithful priests who are deeply hurt by the sins of their brothers.” He added, “Despite all that has happened, despite at times having been betrayed by the hierarchy, they continue to show up ... Their dedication to God’s call continues.”
The bishop concluded his statement by offering a humble apology to the abuse victims and their families. “The unjust agony they have experienced at the hands of a cleric, who has been ordained to serve, is heartbreaking and cries for justice,” he said. “I, along with many of the faithful, pray daily for those wounded by abuse. I repeat my promise to protect children and vulnerable adults by not allowing any ordained minister or volunteer guilty of abuse to serve in this diocese. Through the intercession of the Holy Mother of God, may almighty God grant us the graces necessary to fulfill this mission.”
The following is a list of priests from Evangeline Parish who have been credibly identified by the diocese:
Susai Arul- born in 1928; ordained in 1957; assignments, Sacred Heart of Jesus in Ville Platte, St. Catherine in Leonville, St. Jules in Prairie Larant, and St. Leo the Great in Lafayette; resigned in 1988; died in 2002.
Herbert deLauney- born in 1948; ordained in 1975; assigned to Our Lady of the Holy Rosary in Kaplan, Our Lady Queen of All Saints in Ville Platte, Our Lady of Sacred Heart in Church Point, St. John the Baptist in Lyons Point, American Legion Hospital in Crowley, St. Ann in Mamou, Our Lady of Holy Rosary in Kaplan, St. Andrew in Plaisance, St. Peter in Carencro, Our Lady of Perpetual Help in New Iberia, and St. Bernadette in Bayou Vista; removed in 1999.
Aldeo Fernand Gilbert- born in 1917, ordained in 1943; assigned to St. Michael the Archangel in Crowley, Sacred Heart of Jesus in Ville Platte, and St. Therese of the Child Jesus in Abbeville; resigned in 1968; died in 2007.
Gerard Smit- born in 1924, ordained in 1950; assigned to St. Joseph in Iota, Our Lady Queen of Heaven in Lake Charles, St. Anne in Youngsville, Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Bosco, Our Lady of Mount Carmel in Chataignier, St. John Berchmans in Cankton, Our Lady of the Lake in Lake Arthur, and St. Raphael in Iowa; retired in 1986; removed in 2002.
Jean Toussaint- born in 1910; ordained in 1934; assigned to St. Julian Chapel in Chataignier, St. Joseph in Ville Platte, Little Flower in Pins Clairs, St. Mary in Port Barre, and Holy Trinity in Washington; died in 1977.