Archdiocese Removes Priest's Name From Chapel Amid Abuse Trial
New Orleans archdiocese plans to remove accused priest Anthony Odiong's name from a Louisiana chapel he helped build as his Texas sexual abuse trial approaches.
The Roman Catholic archdiocese of New Orleans is moving forward with plans to remove the name of a priest from a chapel he helped establish outside the city, as a significant criminal trial looms in Texas involving serious allegations against the clergyman. The decision comes as Anthony Odiong faces multiple criminal charges related to the sexual abuse of three spiritually vulnerable female congregants in Waco, marking a pivotal moment in the ongoing case that has drawn considerable attention to the Catholic Church's handling of abuse allegations.
Odiong had reportedly raised approximately $600,000 to construct and establish the Our Lady of Guadalupe Healing Chapel in Luling, Louisiana, which officially opened in 2020 while he served as the pastor at an adjacent church. During his tenure at the parish, Odiong cultivated strong relationships within the community and was instrumental in bringing the chapel project to fruition. Despite the chapel being intended as a spiritual refuge for healing and devotion, the structure has now become entangled in a troubling legal situation that threatens the institution's reputation and standing within the broader Catholic community.
The chapel's physical infrastructure bears multiple inscriptions and designations that feature Odiong's name prominently, acknowledging his central role in the chapel's creation and fundraising efforts. These public recognitions have remained visible throughout the ongoing legal proceedings, creating an increasingly uncomfortable situation for church leadership as the criminal case moves toward trial. The archdiocese's decision to remove these dedications represents a significant step in distancing the institution from the accused priest and addressing community concerns about the chapel's historical connection to him.
