St Anthony Church Replaces Convicted Priest With Abuse Victims in 7 June Prayer Bulletin
Updated
Updated · The Guardian · Jun 6
St Anthony Church Replaces Convicted Priest With Abuse Victims in 7 June Prayer Bulletin
2 articles · Updated · The Guardian · Jun 6
Summary
St Anthony of Padua in Luling, Louisiana, removed Anthony Odiong from its 7 June mass intentions and replaced his name with “Special Intention & Victims of Clergy Abuse.”
The change came after Mary Doe and Jane Doe objected that the original bulletin sought prayers for Odiong but not for those he harmed, and after the bulletin drew media scrutiny.
Odiong, the parish’s pastor from 2015 to late 2023, was convicted in Texas on 29 May of first- and second-degree sexual assault and was sentenced to life in prison on 2 June.
New Orleans Archbishop James Checchio instructed the parish to include all hurt by Odiong’s actions in its prayers, while the Austin diocese said its prayers are focused on victims, families and the wider community.
Mary Doe said a 2024 investigative report helped prompt her criminal complaint, which led to a case corroborated by other women who reported similar abuse tied to Odiong’s role as a priest.
He fathered a child and faced abuse claims for years. Why did it take a life sentence to expose the Church's inaction?
After warnings about a predator priest were ignored for years, what does real accountability in the Catholic Church look like?
When a church's first impulse is to pray for an abuser, how can victims find justice and healing within its walls?
Praying for the Abuser, Forgetting the Abused: The St Anthony of Padua Bulletin Scandal and Its Impact on Catholic Church Credibility
Overview
In June 2026, St Anthony of Padua church in Louisiana sparked controversy by including a prayer for Anthony Odiong, a former pastor recently sentenced to life for sexual assault, in its weekly bulletin. The bulletin did not mention Odiong’s victims, leading to widespread criticism and disappointment from survivors and advocates. The church explained the prayer as a call for mercy but quickly revised the bulletin to include prayers for victims after public backlash. This incident highlights ongoing challenges in the Catholic Church’s response to abuse, emphasizing the need for greater sensitivity and support for survivors.