Former priest pleads guilty to molestation of juvenile

A former priest for the Diocese of Lafayette pled guilty Wednesday to one count of sexual molestation of a juvenile before St. Landry Parish District Judge Alonzo Harris.
Michael Guidry, who had been serving as pastor of St. Peter’s in Morrow as well as its chapel in Whiteville, will return to court on April 10 at which time witness testimony will be given.
Guidry, 75, is facing a possible sentence of five to 10 years in prison as well as a fine of $5,000.00. He is ordered to remain in Acadia Parish until his sentencing date, to turn over his passport, and to register as a sex offender.
The victim’s father Deacon Scott Peyton released a statement after Guidry pled guilty. “We are one step closer to achieving justice for our son,” he said. “We are deeply troubled by watching active members of St. Peter’s Parish Council show up to support Guidry.”
The allegations around Guidry stem from allegations he gave Deacon Peyton’s son alcohol before molesting him. Guidry was formally charged by the St. Landry Parish district attorney last December, which was four months after the victim and his parents filed a civil suit against Guidry and the diocese.
Letitia Peyton, the vicitm’s mother, last month penned a letter to the church summit in Vatican City that was held in response to the clergy sex abuse.
“From my words I hope there’s an understanding of what the victims suffer and what their families suffer,” said Peyton in the letter. “It’s not something that you just get over. It’s a different kind of sin that goes at the core of the victim’s heart and their families.”
The letter was written in hopes it would be used as a call for change within the church. As Peyton wrote, “I want my children to say, our mom stood up and worked for change and justice in the church and made a difference. It’s why we remained in the church. I do not want them to say she was cowardly and hid from the corruption that is currently in the church or gave up because it became overwhelming and tiresome. My hope is that I can make a difference by becoming active in advocating for my son and other victims of clerical sexual abuse while helping to root out the evil and corruption that is in my church.”