Another former Eunice priest’s name surfaced in the numerous sexual abuse allegations in the Lafayette Diocese.
Last week, the Diocese stated it had reported a sexual abuse allegation made against the Rev. Joseph Alexander, who served as a priest at St. Anthony Catholic Church in Eunice from 1988 to 2002, to Eunice Police.
According to an Advocate story, “Alexander is not the only St. Anthony priest accused of abusing children. The diocese in October announced that Rev. Jody Simoneaux, a pastor at St. John was “involved in improper behavior with minors” more than three decades ago while serving at the Eunice church, as well as St. Anne Church in Youngsville.”
The Lafayette Diocese has stated it will release the names of priests credibly accused of sexually abusing minors, but has not yet done so.
The Advocate reported, former Bishop Edward O’Donnell told The Daily Advertiser in 2002 that Alexander had “served with distinction,” and the diocese had “no reason to believe” that any abuse had occurred while Alexander was at St. Anthony. O’Donnell said Alexander had “acknowledged his involvement in the behavior of which he is accused,” according to the article.
On Jan. 27, the Baton Rouge Diocese released the names of 37 credibly accused clergyman, following the lead of the New Orleans Diocese, which released its list on Nov. 2.
Also named in connection with Eunice churches are the late Rev. Kenneth Morvant, who was an associate pastor at St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Church in Eunice from 1966 to 1970; and Harry Quick, accused in 1977 at St. Thomas More Church.