Father Gilbert Gauthe
Diocese of Lafayette
Ordained: 1971
Removed from ministry: 1983
Convicted: 1985
Assigned as follows:
- 1972-1973: Sacred Heart of Jesus (Broussard, LA)
- 1973-1976: Our Lady of Perpetual Help (New Iberia, LA)
- 1974: Appointed as diocesan director of scouting
- 1976-1977: St. Mary Magdalen (Abbeville, LA)
- 1977-1983: St. John Catholic (Henry, LA)
- 1977-1983: St. James Mission Chapel (Esther, LA)
- 1984: House of Affirmation (Whitinsville, MA)
Summary of Sexual Abuse Allegations against Fr. Gilbert Gauthe:
Fr. Gilbert Gauthe was ordained a priest in 1971, and served in multiple parishes in the Diocese of Lafayette. According to media reports, in 1983, the first allegations of sexual abuse against him arose when six families sued the Diocese of Lafayette claiming that Fr. Gauthe molested their children. The victims were altar boys between the ages of six and thirteen years old. The cases were settled secretly.
In 1984, Fr. Gauthe was one of the first pedophile priests brought to trial in the United States when he was indicted on 34 counts of sex crimes against children. He was sentenced to 20 years in prison in 1985 after admitting under oath to sexually molesting 37 children in hundreds of incidents while he served as a priest in Broussard, New Iberia, Abbeville, and Henry. He was released in 1995 after serving 10 years of his sentence.
In 1997, Fr. Gauthe was arrested in Texas for molesting a three-year-old boy. He plead no contest and was given seven years probation. In December of 1997, Gauthe was arrested for raping a female child at gunpoint in 1977. He was released in 1999 when the woman dropped the charges. That same year, Gauthe faced another sexual assault charge from a former altar boy who claims that he was molested by Gauthe.
Gilbert Gauthe was arrested in 2008 in La Marque, TX and charged with failing to register as a sex offender. He served a two-year sentence and was released in 2010.
According to media reports, the church has paid out at least $10 million in settlements to Gauthe's alleged victims. He is the subject of multiple civil suits and settlements. In 2019 the Diocese of Alexandria listed Fr. Gilbert Gauthe as a "diocesan priest incardinated in another diocese accused of sexual misconduct while serving in the Diocese of Alexandria." The Diocese of Lafayette also included Gauthe on its disclosure list of "diocesan clergy against whom credible allegations have been made regarding sexual abuse of a minor or vulnerable adult," which was released in 2019.
As of 2019, Gilbert Gauthe was living in San Leon, Texas.
Horowitz Law is a law firm representing victims and survivors of sexual abuse by Catholic priests and other clergy in the Diocese of Lafayette in Louisiana. If you need a lawyer because you were sexually abused by a priest in Louisiana, contact our office today. Although many years have passed, those abused by Catholic clergy in the Diocese of Lafayette may now have legal options, but filing deadlines will apply so do not delay in reaching out to us. Our lawyers have decades of experience representing survivors of clergy sexual abuse in Louisiana and nationwide. We can help.
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