Fr. Etienne LeBlanc
Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux
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.
The abuse allegedly started when the victim asked Fr. LeBlanc to be an altar boy. The victim says although he was initially turned down as altar boy because he was too young, Fr. LeBlanc allegedly told the victim 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.
Ultimately, the diocese settled with the victim and stripped Fr. Etienne LeBlanc of his priestly duties.
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 is now living in Port Orange, Florida.
Horowitz Law is a law firm representing victims and survivors of sexual abuse 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 a priest in Louisiana, contact our office today. Although many years have passed, those abused by Catholic clergy in the Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux 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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