2018 Clergy Report Regarding Abuse

A message from Fr. Jonathan:
    As you have probably seen in the news, on Friday, November 2nd, the Archdiocese of New Orleans released a list of clergy - priests and deacons - against whom substantiated accusations of sexual abuse of minors have been made. There were 55 priests and two deacons included in this list. Three of the names on that list were associated with Our Lady of the Rosary. The first, which has been widely reported for several months, is Deacon George Brignac, who was assigned to our parish and who was removed from ministry in 1988. The second is Fr. Paul Calamari, who was in residence in our parish for a time and who was removed from ministry in 2003 after an allegation was received that same year. The third is Fr. Lawrence Hecker, who was assigned to our parish as a parochial vicar from 1959 to 1961 and who was removed from ministry in 2002 after an allegation was received in 1996. 
    I’m sure that these continued revelations of grave crimes and sins committed by church leaders cause deep pain and anger for a great many of you. I know that they do for me. I’m sure that some of you were shocked and disappointed to learn of the moral failure of a particular priest or deacon that you know. But I beg you, please remain close to Christ and His Church. We, the leaders of the Church, are and have always been broken and sinful human beings; but Our Lord Jesus Christ is holy; and the Church he has founded is holy. Let us all strive for this holiness. I encourage you to pray for the victims of these terrible crimes, especially praying the Holy Rosary; and I encourage you to fast for the renewal and sanctification of Holy Mother Church and her leaders, especially on Fridays. 
    Finally, I want to call your attention to the pastoral letter of Archbishop Aymond and the full list of clergy, both of which can be found below. In his letter, the Archbishop gives the contact information for Br. Stephen Synan, who is the victims assistance coordinator for the archdiocese. If you were in any way affected by this scourge of abuse or if you just have questions about this, I invite you to talk to me so that I and the Church can offer you assistance. Thank you.

Fr. Jonathan Hemelt
Pastor, Our Lady of the Rosary


Links:
Pastoral Letter from Archbishop Aymond
2018 Clergy Report Regarding Abuse