Authorities in New Orleans have broadened their investigation of clergy sexual abuse in the Roman Catholic Church to encompass senior church officials suspected of concealing predatory priests and failing to report their crimes to law enforcement over several decades.
Last week, Louisiana State Police executed a comprehensive search warrant at the Archdiocese of New Orleans, aiming to uncover long-hidden church records and communications between local church leaders and the Vatican regarding the handling of clergy sexual abuse cases.
The search marks a new phase of the investigation, focusing on determining the extent of knowledge among specific church leaders, including current and former archbishops, regarding claims described in the warrant as being 'ignored and, in many cases, covered up.'
The warrant revealed disturbing details about the sex-trafficking probe, including allegations of victims being sexually assaulted in a seminary swimming pool after being instructed to 'skinny dip.' Additionally, predatory priests reportedly engaged in a system of sharing victims by giving them 'gifts' to signal to other clergymen that the individual was a target for abuse.
State police investigator Scott Rodrigue stated in an affidavit supporting the warrant that the 'gift' was a form of communication among priests.
The warrant sought a wide range of personnel records, files stored in safes, and documents showing the archdiocese's continued support of clergymen even after they were identified as credibly accused predators.
Furthermore, the warrant confirmed a concurrent FBI investigation into clergy sexual abuse, following reports from nearly two years ago that priests may have transported children across state lines for illicit purposes.
Archbishop Gregory Aymond declined to comment and has resisted calls from abuse accusers to step down, while the Vatican did not respond to requests for comment.
Kathryn Robb, executive director of Child USAdvocacy, emphasized the importance of upholding the law to protect children from the horrors of sexual abuse, stating that the warrant is a crucial step in safeguarding children.
The investigation has been hindered by a confidentiality order in a bankruptcy case that has concealed explosive church records related to abuse claims, interviews with accused clergy, and the practice of transferring problematic priests.
The search could potentially expose church leaders to state court prosecutions, as federal authorities have faced challenges in identifying prosecutable crimes related to clergy sexual abuse.
Last year, a 92-year-old former priest, Lawrence Hecker, was indicted on charges of sexually assaulting a teenage boy in 1975, prompting the recent search of the archdiocese.
Hecker allegedly assaulted the teen after rendering him unconscious and was allowed to work around children despite the archdiocese's knowledge of his actions.
Prosecutors face legal and evidentiary obstacles due to the age of the case and the sensitivity of prosecuting a longtime clergyman in a predominantly Catholic community like New Orleans.
Despite challenges, the search signifies a notable development in holding predator priests and church officials accountable for their actions.
