Sexual abuse survivors ask for AG investigation into Diocese of Lake Charles
LAKE CHARLES, La. (KPLC) -Three months ago, the Diocese of Lake Charles released a list of credibly accused clergy which included the names of eleven priests, eight of whom are dead.
But some complain the list is far from transparent and have asked the Louisiana attorney general to investigate.
In 2016, ex-priest Mark Broussard was convicted of sexual offenses against children and is serving two life sentences plus fifty years. When the Diocese released its list of credibly accused priests, it said allegations regarding Broussard were received by the Diocese in 1994 and 2009. Yet some say the diocese knew sooner.
Richard Windmann, himself a victim, is the Louisiana leader of the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests, also called SNAP.
They advocate for full disclosure statewide.
"These priests, that have been entrusted with the church, they don't own the church. The administrators, the governance of the church, it's the people in the pews that are the church. And when they leave there's not going to be a church. And it won't be because of the actions of victims and survivors. It will be because of the actions of priests and archbishops and bishops who cover it up,” said Windmann.
Some alleged local survivors--who do not wish to be identified--say there’s a local cover-up and want complete transparency about who knew what and whe...