Key facts
- Catholic clergy leaders in New Orleans and Austin were aware of multiple sexual misconduct allegations against priest Anthony Odiong for years.
- Despite these allegations, Odiong was allowed to continue in ministry and his tenure was extended in New Orleans.
- Odiong was convicted of criminal clergy sexual assault in Waco, Texas, and sentenced to life imprisonment in June.
- Church officials in Austin first received a complaint against Odiong in 2011, but did not notify New Orleans until 2018.
- A fifth woman alleged a long-term sexual relationship with Odiong, which began in 2007.
- Odiong's conviction followed a sermon where he made derogatory remarks about the LGBTQ+ community.
Catholic clergy leaders in New Orleans and Austin were aware of multiple accusations of sexual misconduct against priest Anthony Odiong for years, yet allowed him to continue in ministry and even extended his tenure in New Orleans, according to an investigation by The Guardian.
Despite knowing that several women had accused Odiong of sexual misconduct or unwanted advances, church leaders in New Orleans, under Archbishop Gregory Aymond, and John Ayah, the bishop of the Uyo, Nigeria, diocese, granted him an extension to his role as pastor at St. Anthony of Padua church in Luling, Louisiana, which was set to last until 2027.
However, Odiong did not complete this extension. He was convicted of criminal clergy sexual assault of two women in Waco, Texas, and sentenced to life imprisonment in early June. Files obtained by The Guardian revealed that church leaders in Austin first fielded a complaint against Odiong in 2011. They waited until 2018 to notify their counterparts in New Orleans of this and three other complaints.
In 2019, a fifth woman alleged that Odiong initiated a years-long sexual relationship with her after meeting him in 2007. Despite these allegations, Aymond notified Odiong in 2021 that he was welcome to remain in his role, praising his service.
High-ranking U.S. church officials, including then-Bishop of Austin Joe Vásquez (now Archbishop of Houston) and his successor Daniel Garcia, were aware of Odiong's history. Vásquez had requested Odiong refrain from ministry in Austin due to complaints. Bishop Michael Sis was aware of a 2011 case where a boy reported his mother was having a sexual relationship with Odiong, deeming Odiong's closeness to the mother 'highly imprudent.' Bishop James Misko also warned Odiong in writing in 2019 to respect Vásquez's wishes.
Odiong's legal downfall coincided with a November 2023 sermon where he likened LGBTQ+ people to 'monkeys and chimpanzees.' Following this, the New Orleans archdiocese suspended him, citing complaints with multiple women and the inflammatory comments. The archdiocese asked the Uyo bishop to recall him to Nigeria.
One complainant spoke publicly to The Guardian and WWL Louisiana. Another, referred to as Jane Doe, recounted how Odiong convinced her to engage in intercourse with another man in Waco, which Texas law defines as sexual assault when involving a cleric and someone under their spiritual authority. This account drew the attention of the woman whose son had witnessed her with Odiong in 2011. This woman, adopting the pseudonym Mary Doe, reported Odiong to Waco authorities in March 2024, initiating the criminal investigation.
Survivors expressed dissatisfaction with the church's response. The New Orleans archdiocese stated that different actions would have been taken if the extent of Odiong's behavior was known and apologized for the suffering caused. Bishop Garcia of Austin contended his diocese lacked information indicating the 'level of criminality.' Mary Doe felt the bishop's letter created distance from those the church failed to protect, while Jane Doe stated the diocese left women unprotected and uninformed for years.