An elderly priest’s guilty plea exposes the church’s history of shielding predators in its midst for decades

Summary

Former New Orleans priest Lawrence Hecker, 93, pleaded guilty to child rape, exposing decades of systemic cover-ups by the New Orleans Catholic archdiocese.

Church leaders shielded Hecker despite his 1999 confession and psychiatric diagnosis as an incurable pedophile.

Archbishops allowed him to retire quietly in 2002, avoiding public accountability.

Hecker’s guilty plea followed growing evidence, media exposure, and a 2023 grand jury indictment.

Survivors and advocates demand justice for systemic abuses and cover-ups within the archdiocese, as the case highlights broader inquiries into potential clergy sex-trafficking.

  • RagingSnarkasm@lemmy.world
    121·
    18 days ago

    Don’t worry, since we’re starting to ban social media for children to protect them, I’m sure we’ll ban church for children, too.