Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux list of accused priests

This is the list of priests who have served assignments in the Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux accused of sexual abuse of minors during the 40 years the diocese has existed.

These priests were the subject of credible accusations of sexual abuse of minors due to or resulting from criminal actions brought by the state, or civil court actions, or who were the subject of accusations deemed credible after recent diocesan review. The transgressions alleged would have occurred during assignment to the Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux. In most cases these men had their priestly faculties removed. The diocese defines faculty as the authority, privilege, or permission, to perform an act or function. The diocese therefore states that “priestly faculties” refer to “one’s ability to function as a priest.”

One is only able to perform priestly ministry, diocesan officials said, when authority, privilege, and permission has been granted by a bishop. Therefore, they stated, when priestly faculties have been permanently revoked, a man is no longer able to function as a priest.

The following priests admitted, were convicted, or pled guilty to sexual offenses against minors:

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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

• Died October 20, 2013

• Served at Saint Joseph in Galliano and Holy Cross in Morgan City.

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

• Died November 5, 2018

• Served at Annunziata in Houma, Sacred Heart in Cut Off, and Saint Genevieve in Thibodaux. Relieved of priestly faculties.

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

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The following priests are the subject 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. He is currently residing in Florida.

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

• Served at Annunziata in Houma

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

CLAUDE BOUDREAUX

• Priest of the Society of Jesus (Jesuits) who offered weekend assistance in the Diocese of Houma- Thibodaux

• Ordained in 1955

• 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

• 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