A Catholic church in Louisiana found itself at the center of national backlash after a prayer request in its weekly bulletin drew criticism for what many saw as a glaring omission. The church had recently watched its former pastor receive a life sentence for sexual assault — yet a June 7 bulletin asked parishioners to pray for him without mentioning his victims.
On June 2, 2026, Anthony Odiong, 57, was sentenced to life in prison, formally ending his tenure as the former head of St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Church in Luling, Louisiana. A jury in Waco, Texas, found him guilty following accusations that he used his spiritual authority as a clergyman to sexually assault parishioners.
According to court documents, during the eight years Odiong served at St. Anthony, he pursued a years-long sexual relationship with a member of his parish. Prosecutors also accused him of coercing another victim into a sexual relationship with a different man. The crimes took place in Texas, where sexual coercion involving clergy and parishioners is classified as felony assault.
Prosecutors also introduced DNA evidence showing that Odiong fathered a child with a Louisiana parishioner. According to The Guardian, the court heard additional evidence alleging that Odiong fathered another child in Nigeria during his role as a priest, thus establishing a broader bpattern of his behaviour.
Beyond the charges that led to his conviction, multiple other allegations never made it to trial. According to CBS affiliate WWLTV, ten women accused Odiong of sexual coercion, suggesting a longstanding pattern of abuse.
Additional allegations, first reported by the National Catholic Reporter, claimed that Odiong had been living in Ave Maria, Florida, while effectively evading authorities. Reports also alleged that when he was eventually apprehended there, he was found in possession of child pornography.
After the case concluded and victims finally saw a measure of justice, attention shifted toward how the church would respond. According to another report by The Guardian, the church’s initial response stunned many of the victims.
On June 7, St. Anthony’s bulletin included Odiong by name in its list of prayer intentions — a section reserved for people and causes the church asks parishioners to pray for. The church later explained that a parishioner had requested prayers for Odiong because such prayers are intended for “those who have turned away from God to turn back towards His mercy.” The issue, critics pointed out, was that the victims themselves were not mentioned anywhere in the prayer list.
One of Odiong’s victims reportedly said that while praying for Odiong’s soul was understandable, praying for his victims should have been equally important.
A few days later, the church quietly removed Odiong’s name from the bulletin and replaced it with “Special Intention & Victims of Clergy Abuse” in the prayer requests section.
The Archdiocese of New Orleans later released a statement saying it had “instructed” the current priest to pray for everyone affected by Odiong’s actions. The archdiocese also described Odiong’s conduct as “disgusting.” The Louisiana healing chapel that had originally been built by Odiong also removed his name from the premises.
