The late Rev. Kenneth Morvant, who was an associate pastor at St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Church in Eunice from 1966 to 1970, has been accused of child sex abuse.
A statement from Blue Rolfes, spokesoman for the Diocese of Lafayette, stated:
“The Diocese of Lafayette has been made aware of allegations of sexual abuse of minors against Father Kenneth Morvant (deceased), alleged to have happened 35 to 40 years ago. Father Morvant served as a priest from 1961 to 2003, a period of 42 years, before he died on December 13, 2003. There is no evidence of Father Morvant being implicated in the abuse of minors. These allegations, however, are being given appropriate consideration. Father Kenneth Morvant, though deceased, maintains the presumption of innocence unless proven otherwise.”
Morvant was a native of Abbeville and was ordained on June 3, 1961, at the Cathedral of St. John in Lafayette, according to The Daily Advertiser.
According to Diocese, Morvant’s career included:
1961-1966 Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist, Lafayette (associate pastor);
1966-1970 St. Anthony Church, Eunice (associate pastor);
1970-1971 St. Joseph Church, Rayne (associate pastor);
1971-1980 St. Martin de Tours Church, St. Martinville (pastor); and
1980-2001 Diocesan Tribunal (marriage nullity cases).