The Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux releases list of priests accused of sexual abuse

NEW ORLEANS (WVUE) -The Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux has released a list of priests accused of sexual abuse.

Bishop Shelton J. Fabre released the list along with a letter to the diocese on Friday. That letter can be read here.

According to Bishop Fabre, the following priests were convicted or pled guilty:

Lawrence Cavell

Ordained in 1989
Admitted to solicitation of a minor
All priestly faculties permanently removed by the Diocese
Served at Holy Cross in Morgan City, Sacred Heart in Montegut, Saint Francis de Sales in Houma, Saint Genevieve in Thibodaux, and Saint Mary in Raceland

Alexander Francisco

Ordained in 1979
Admitted to inappropriate physical contact with a minor
All priestly faculties permanently removed by the Diocese
Served at Holy Cross in Morgan City, Saint Bernadette in Houma, Saint Bridget in Schriever, Saint Joseph in Thibodaux, and Saint Thomas Aquinas in Thibodaux

Dale Guidry

Ordained in 1982
Pled guilty to online solicitation of a minor and accused of molestation of a minor
All priestly faculties permanently removed within the Diocese
Died October 20, 2013 • Served at Holy Cross in Morgan City and Saint Joseph in Galliano

Patrick Kujawa

Ordained in 1996
Pled guilty to possession of child pornography
Convicted and currently incarcerated
All priestly faculties permanently removed by the Diocese
Served at Holy Cross in Morgan City and Saint Francis de Sales in Houma

Robert Melancon

Ordained in 1962
Convicted of aggravated rape of a minor
All priestly faculties permanently removed by the Diocese
Died November 5, 2018
Served at Annunziata in Houma, Sacred Heart in Cut Off, and Saint Genevieve in Thibodaux

Carlos Melendez

Priest of the Missionaries of Christ Crucified in El Salvador
Accused of inappropriate physical contact with a minor and pled guilty to misdemeanor battery against a minor
All priestly faculties permanently removed within the Diocese
United States Immigration returned him to his native El Salvador
Current status or location unknown
Served in Diocesan Hispanic Ministry

The following priests are accused of credible allegations of sexual molestation of a minor that were the subject of civil litigation:

Etienne Leblanc

Ordained in 1971
All priestly faculties permanently removed by the Diocese
Served at Annunziata in Houma, Holy Cross in Morgan City, Holy Family in Dulac, Saint Eloi in Theriot, Sacred Heart in Cut Off, Saint Hilary in Mathews, and Saint Thomas Aquinas in Thibodaux

Gerald Prinz

Ordained in 1968
All priestly faculties permanently removed by the Diocese
Served at Saint Francis de Sales in Houma, Saint Gregory in Houma, and Saint Louis in Bayou Blue

Bernard Schmaltz

Ordained in 1973
Died February 5, 2010
All priestly faculties permanently removed within the Diocese
Served at Annunziata in Houma

The following priests are accused of credible allegations of serious and unacceptable conduct with minors ranging inappropriate physical contact of a minor to molestation of a minor:

Claude Boudreax

Jesuit priest who offered weekend assistance in the Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux
Ordained in 1955
All priestly faculties permanently removed within the Diocese
Died August 5, 2016

Gerard Kinane

Priest of the Archdiocese of New Orleans
Ordained in 1973
All priestly faculties permanently removed by the Diocese
Served at Saint Hilary in Mathews

Ramon Luce

Priest of the Diocese of San Pablo in the Philippines
Ordained in 1995
All priestly faculties permanently removed within the Diocese • Voluntarily left the priesthood • Served at Holy Savior in Lockport

Dac Nguyen

Priest of the Society of Domus Dei
Ordained in 1988
All priestly faculties permanently removed within the Diocese
Current status or location unknown
Served at Thanh Gia (Holy Family) in Amelia

Daniel Poche

Ordained in 1978
All priestly faculties permanently removed by the Diocese
Served at Holy Cross in Morgan City, Sacred Heart in Cut Off, Saint Bernadette in Houma, Saint Francis de Sales in Houma, Saint Hilary in Mathews, and Saint Joseph in Chauvin