Catholic priest convicted of sexual assault in Texas sentenced to life in prison  is a Guardian article written by Charlie Scudder and Ramon Antonio Vargas.  In this article, they tell us that a Waco, Texas jury has handed down a life sentence to Anthony Odiong, a 57-year-old Roman Catholic priest recently convicted of criminal clergy sexual assault. The sentencing followed testimonies exposing more than ten years of sexually inappropriate actions. Odiong spent the bulk of his 17-year ministry career, which started in 2006, serving in Texas.

Additionally, Odiong served as the pastor of St. Anthony of Padua Church, a Catholic parish located in the New Orleans suburb of Luling, Louisiana. He was ousted from this position in 2023 due to allegations of clerical misconduct with several women. Investigators corroborated these claims through a woman who sought spiritual direction from Odiong in Luling and subsequently had a child with him in 2023.

Tuesday’s life in prison sentencing followed Odiong’s earlier rejection of a guilty plea deal that offered 20 years in prison.

Odiong, a naturalized U.S. citizen, was ordained as a Catholic priest in Nigeria in 1993. He built a following by hosting prayer services where attendees occasionally reported miraculous healings from serious illnesses.

After the verdict, a WWLTV article by Ramon Antonio Vargas publishes, Luling church asks for prayers for pastor convicted in Texas of sexual assault – but not for his victims. Lamothe Law Firm attorney Kristi Schubert who represents yet another woman from the Luling church is quoted as saying, “[S]he was ‘profoundly disappointed’ the bulletin had not published a corresponding intention saying something vague like ‘for survivors of clergy abuse.’”

If a pastor, priest, rabbi, or other faith-based leader has sexually abused you or someone you love, please contact Lamothe Law Firm today to schedule a confidential consultation.