Two years after criminal conviction, Diocese of Lafayette apologizes to victim of sex abuse

Two years after a priest pleaded guilty to molesting an altar boy, the Diocese of Lafayette has formally apologized to the victim and his family. 

Michael Guidry, who was a priest in St. Landry Parish, pleaded guilty to molesting a minor and was sentenced to seven years hard labor in April 2019. 

The diocese on Monday morning said in a statement that "after careful examination" the church found that the allegations were credible. 

"The Diocese further denounces the actions of Michael Guidry towards (the victim) and hereby formally and publicly apologizes to (the victim) and to his family," the diocese said. "Michael Guidry has been permanently removed from ministry."

Guidry was the longtime former leader of St. Peter Church in Morrow. Authorities said they opened the investigation after the victim reported he'd been given alcohol before being sexually molested by Guidry at the priest's home. 

The report was made in 2018 when the victim was 20, but the abuse happened when the victim was 16. 

The Daily Advertiser does not name victims of sexual abuse. 

Guidry appealed his sentence arguing it "represented an unconstitutionally excessive and disproportionate term that needlessly imposed pain and suffering." The Third Circuit Court of Appeals upheld his sentence last year. The Louisiana Supreme Court in April declined to take up his appeal.

The victim and his family also are pursuing a civil suit against Guidry and the diocese, seeking damages for pain and suffering. The suit alleges that although the diocese has paid for counseling since the allegations came to light, a senior church official threatened to halt the payments if the family sued. 

Contact Ashley White at adwhite@theadvertiser.com or on Twitter @AshleyyDi.