Fr. Etienne LeBlanc

Ordained: 1971

Removed: 2007

Assignment History

1970-1971: St. Francis de Sales Parish (New Orleans, LA)
1971-1975 Pastor at St. Peter's Catholic Church (Reserve, LA)
1975-1976: Our Lady of Prompt Succor (Westwego, LA)
1980-1987: St. Thomas Aquinas (Thibodaux, LA)
1987-2000: Holy Cross Catholic Church (Morgan City, LA)
2001: St. Hilary of Poitiers (Mathews, LA)
2001-2004: Holy Family (Dulac, LA)
2001-2004: St. Eloi Catholic Church (Dularge, LA)
2004-2007: Annunziata Catholic Church (Houma, LA)

Summary of Sexual Abuse Allegations against Father Etienne LeBlanc

In January 2019, the Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux publicly named Fr. Etienne LeBlanc on its list of priests who admitted to, or were convicted of, sexual misconduct with children. According to the list, Fr. LeBlanc allegedly abused a minor in the mid-1990s.

The Rape Allegation

In 2007, a former altar boy accused Fr. Etienne LeBlanc of raping him in Holy Cross Catholic Church rectory in the mid-1990s at the age of nine. The abuse allegedly started when the victim asked Fr. LeBlanc to be an altar boy. The victim says that although he was initially turned down as an altar boy because he was too young, Fr. LeBlanc allegedly told the victim that if he performed a sexual favor for him, the victim could become an altar boy.

According to reports, the abuse lasted for approximately six years. The victim says he ended his service when he was approximately 15, and that contact with Fr. LeBlanc ended subsequently after.

A civil lawsuit was filed in 2007, as well as a criminal complaint. In 2011, a court ordered the Diocese to turn its investigative report over to the plaintiff. The Diocese objected, and the documents remain sealed as of 2011. Ultimately, the diocese settled with the victim and stripped Fr. Etienne LeBlanc of his priestly duties. Bishop Accountability notes that LeBlanc was sent to counseling from 1986 to 1987.

Other Allegations

While the Houma-Thibodaux diocese did not mention any other allegations in its 2019 list, sources say another victim came forward, claiming he had a relationship with Fr. LeBlanc when he was 17 and that the church knew.

Since the initial allegation, reports indicate that more victims have accused Fr. Etienne LeBlanc of pressuring them into sexual relationships with him when they were children.

Fr. Etienne LeBlanc's Career and Whereabouts

Ordained in 1971, Fr. Etienne LeBlanc served for more than 40 years before the Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux removed him from ministry. According to news reports, Fr. LeBlanc has served primarily in the Houma-Bayou Cane-Thibodaux area. Sources also say Fr. LeBlanc served on Nicholls State University's campus. Fr. LeBlanc was removed from ministry in 2007. According to a phone listing, Fr. LeBlanc lives in Port Orange, Florida.

The lawyers at Horowitz Law represent people who were sexually abused by Catholic priests and other clergy in the Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux in Louisiana. If you need a lawyer because you were sexually abused by clergy in Louisiana, contact our office today. Regardless of how long ago this happened, those abused by Catholic clergy in the Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux now have legal options because of a law eliminating the statute of limitations. Our lawyers have decades of experience representing survivors of clergy sexual abuse in Louisiana and nationwide. We can help.

Fr. Etienne LeBlanc – Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux