Louisiana Church Sparks Backlash By Soliciting Prayers For Pastor Convicted Of Sexual Assault - But Nothing For His Victims

A Louisiana church has sparked backlash by soliciting prayers for a pastor convicted of intersexual assault, but not for his victims.

Anthony Odiong, a 57-year-old Roman Catholic leader who served successful Texas and Louisiana, was recovered blameworthy of 1 count of first-degree intersexual battle and 2 counts of second-degree intersexual battle by a assemblage successful Waco connected Friday.

After his blameworthy verdict was returned, St. Anthony of Padua — a religion nether nan Archdiocese of New Orleans, located successful nan suburb of Luling — shared a bulletin asking nan organization to believe for Odiong, The Guardian reported Wednesday.

The bulletin reportedly made nary mention of his victims. St. Anthony of Padua later removed a transcript of nan bulletin from nan church’s website.

“Unfortunately, I’m not moreover amazed because abusive priests – moreover those who person been convicted of intersexual maltreatment – are regularly fixed a level of nationalist support that nan victims tin only dream of receiving,” Kristi Schubert, an lawyer who represents a female who accused Odiong of intersexual abuse, said successful a connection shared by The Guardian.

One of nan women Odiong was convicted of sexually assaulting, called Mary Doe, said it was “right and just” to believe for Odiong’s soul, but she encouraged nan organization to besides believe for his victims, nan outlet reported.

“A batch of group person yet to reckon pinch [the] fact” that Odiong had unduly “used nan emotion and spot of communities,” different female Odiong was recovered blameworthy of sexually assaulting, said, according to The Guardian.

The woman, who was identified only arsenic Jane Doe, said that erstwhile they do face nan issue, “it will beryllium devastating.”

The Archdiocese of New Orleans told The Guardian a congregant asked Odiong to beryllium included successful nan bulletin because of Catholics’ telephone to believe for “those who person turned distant from God to move backmost towards His mercy.”

“While location is overmuch symptom successful nan [church] from each this, they are surely praying for each who were wounded by Odiong’s actions, including chiefly nan women and their families.”

The Independent has reached retired to nan Archdiocese of New Orleans and St. Anthony of Padua for comment.

Odiong had been accused of sexually abusing 9 victims from 2007 to 2024, according to KCENTV.

Ryan Calvert, a charismatic pinch nan McLennan County territory attorney’s office, said 1 much female unfortunate was discovered successful 2025, The New York Times reported.

"He took each opportunity to push boundaries, and he didn't extremity until he was caught. He doesn't stop. That's who he is. He is simply a predator,” prosecutors said successful court, per KCENTV.

On Tuesday, Odiong was sentenced to life successful situation connected nan first-degree intersexual battle complaint and a 20-year word for each second-degree intersexual battle charge. His defense lawyer said he would appeal.

Odiong will beryllium eligible for parole aft 30 years. He was besides fined $30,000.