Articles

The lawsuit was filed 16 years ago against the Diocese of Lafayette

A judge has ordered sealed records in a 16-year old lawsuit over the conduct of a former music director for the Roman Catholic Diocese of Lafayette to be opened to public view.

Judge Jules Edwards of the 15th Judicial District ordered last week that parts of the case be unsealed and set a 30-day deadline Monday foe diocesan attorneys to argue what parts should remain secret.

Records the judge decides to unseal should be opened within the next two months.

'The plaintiffs are willing to give up their anonymity in prayerful hope that other victims will gain the strength to come forward and get help' read a statement issued by plaintiff's attorney Clayton Burgess.

Attorneys on both sides of the case declined to comment on the allegations of the lawsuit until the record is made public, but the plaintiff has requested the diocese turn over all information it has on sexual misconduct by priests or other employees.

The lawsuit was filed in 1968 on behalf of at least two girls who were juveniles at the time, but only one remains in the case. It was originally sealed at the request of both girls.

Church attorney Gil Dozier said the allegations of the remaining plaintiff do not involve the music director having sexual activity with that person.

Dozier declined to comment on the allegations made by the other plaintiff or whether the other claims were dismissed, settled or never pursued.

The attorney said he believes the girl's attorney requested church records of sexual misconduct allegations only to bring attention to the case.

The lawsuit, which seeks damages from the diocese, was filed over alleged conduct by Dwight Herbert.

Monsignor H.A. Larroque, vicar general of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Lafayette, said Hebert is dead but once worked as a music director for several churches in the diocese.

Larroque said he could not remember whether Hebert was removed for allegations of misconduct.

The church does not oppose unsealing the records of the remaining plaintiff but is concerned over unsealing records of any other plaintiffs, Dozier said.

'He can't disregard their wishes because their case is over,' he said.