The clergy at Sacred Heart of Jesus Catholic Church and St. Joseph Catholic Church in Ville Platte learned of new job responsibilities over the weekend. One of the new job responsibilities is as pastor of a parish in Plaisance with its chapel in Frilot Cove.
Parochial vicar of Sacred Heart Fr. Taj Glodd was named pastor of St. Joseph Parish in Plaisance and its mission St. Anne in Frilot Cove by Bishop Douglas Deshotel of the Diocese of Lafayette.
The new assignment will be made effective on Monday, July 2, and will be for a term of six years.
Pastor of Sacred Heart Fr. Tom Voorhies also learned that he was named interim administrator of St. Peter Church in Morrow and Resurrection Chapel in Whiteville.
The move came, according to KATC-TV, following news that “Father Michael Guidry, Pastor of St. Peter Church in Morrow and Resurrection Chapel in Whiteville, had been placed on administrative leave while allegations of sexual abuse against Guidry are investigated.”
During a press conference Monday, according to KATC, Bishop Deshotel “said the abuse was reported by the parents of the alleged victim and their current pastor in Ville Platte. The abuse allegedly occurred while the victim was a minor; he is now an adult. The alleged abuse happened since Guidry became pastor in Morrow.”
The allegations are being investigated by the St. Landry Parish Sheriff Office.
Bishop Deshotel also stated in his press conference, “We encourage anyone to notify us or the civil authorities if they have knowledge of or reason to believe abuse has occurred... First we let the civil authorities determine through their investigation exactly what happened and if that was criminal or not. If not, he can be restored and his good name restored as well. If so, there of course are civil penalties and diocesan penalties as well.”
While Fr. Voorhies was unable to comment on the situation, he acknowledged that his administrative duties will be on top of his pastoral duties at Sacred Heart and St. Joseph’s.
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TONY MARKS