CONVICTED PRIEST Dies in State PRISON

From worst to first: Local enjoys Nicholls’ ride to the top, even while battling adversity
November 28, 2018
First Amendment to the Constitution of the United States
November 29, 2018
From worst to first: Local enjoys Nicholls’ ride to the top, even while battling adversity
November 28, 2018
First Amendment to the Constitution of the United States
November 29, 2018

More than 22 years ago a man of God was convicted for perpetrating acts of evil against a child and sentenced to life in prison by a Terrebonne Parish judge.


That sentence ended Nov. 5 when Robert Melancon, whose priestly assignments included churches in Terrebonne and Lafourche, died of natural causes at David Wade Correctional Center in Homer.

Melancon was 82-years-old.

At various points during his imprisonment Melancon maintained his innocence of aggravated rape, the crime for which a jury of seven men and five women found him guilty. Appeals courts rejected those protests, as did a federal court to which he applied for a writ of habeas corpus, a claim that he was unjustly imprisoned due to errors during the trial process. A statement from the Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux was re


leased last week, announcing Melancon’s death and the place where he died. The statement says services for Melancon were held Nov. 15 but includes no details and notes his family’s request for privacy.

“We offer our prayers for all at this time,” concludes the message, signed by Diocesan spokesman Lonnie Thibodeaux.

Melancon’s passing is significant in several respects. His arrest and subsequent trial before State District Judge Johnny Walker drew widespread media attention. Both his crimes and the trial took place at a time when the Catholic Church — in Louisiana and elsewhere — appeared more interested in containing potential scandal than comforting victims alleging sexual abuse. Church leaders in recent years are moving toward greater transparency, acknowledging that methods of handling such allegations in the past were inappropriate, and in some cases seeking forgiveness for how such cases were handled.


A VICTIM SPEAKS

The acts of which Melancon is convicted continue paining his victim, for whom the death brings no closure. The man has broken public silence held for more than two decades. Melancon, he said, died without taking care of important business. The priest’s lack of contrition to the very end makes him “sick,” the man said in an interview Sunday.

“He never reached out and apologized for anything,” the man said. “He could have done something to make my life — not easier — but to make that part of my life conclude. But he went to the grave with it so that I would always have that over my head.”


According to the recollections of those who brought Melancon to justice, the prosecution was an uphill battle from the start, despite a cooperative witness whose story appeared unwavering.

Douglas Greenburg, who was Terrebonne Parish’s district attorney at the time, recalls “significant difficulties” with the prosecution of Melancon, including criticism in local circles that the priest was targeted because of his position by a man whose father was a non-practicing member of the Jewish faith.

“His then status as a Catholic priest had little to no effect on my decision to file charges based upon factual information presented … to bring the case to the grand jury, and to prosecute with the grand jury indictment filed against him. We had prosecuted numerous other persons on sex crimes before without reference to their status or position in our community. I followed my oath of office,” Greenburg said. “The problems began with the local police department’s unwillingness to arrest Melancon after bringing the factual basis for the charges to the District Attorney’s office. It was necessary for our office to obtain a warrant and enlist the help of the Orleans (authorities) to execute the warrant on Melancon in that jurisdiction, where he had been sent to avoid the attachment (on him) in Terrebonne.”


CHILD-RAPIST

Greenburg himself did not take an active role in the case,

CONVICTED PRIEST Dies in State PRISON


Pictured is Annunziata Church in Houma, which is where Fobert Meiancon was assigned when he was conoceid of season at about Metancon did in person recentily.

COURISTY