A Catholic church in Louisiana has rectified its parish prayers after criticism that they included a former priest recently convicted of sexual assault and not his victims. 

St. Anthony of Padua Church in Luling, a suburb of New Orleans, had originally listed Anthony Odiong in its bulletin of prayer intentions, prompting concern among victims and church officials. Odiong, a former pastor at the church, was convicted in Texas on 29 May of first- and second-degree sexual assault and sentenced to life in prison on 2 June.

A jury found he abused his position as a priest to pursue a long-term sexual relationship with a congregant and to coerce another victim into unwanted sex with a third party. Other women have since made similar allegations linked to his time as a priest, including at St Anthony of Padua.

After criticism, the church removed his name from the bulletin and replaced it with a new entry reading “Special Intention & Victims of Clergy Abuse”. The New Orleans archdiocese said Archbishop James Checchio had “instructed” the parish to ensure prayers also included those affected, adding: “What Odiong is convicted of is reprehensible, and we are disgusted by the behavior revealed in trial.”

The Diocese of Austin, which covers Waco, said its prayers “focus on the victims, their families, law enforcement, investigators and the community”, adding: “I pray that this process has brought them some peace,” and that “The longer process of healing continues.”

The case was brought after one of the victims came forward following a The Guardian investigation in 2024 into allegations of sexual coercion and abuse linked to Odiong during his ministry.