Franciscan Province Releases Clergy Names

This week the Franciscan Friars of the St. John the Baptist Province released a list of friars with substantiated abuse allegations against them. Eight of the friars included in the Franciscan’s list served in the Archdiocese of New Orleans.

In November 2018 the archdiocese released a report on clergy abuse. That list has been updated several times since it was originally published. Some of the additions have been based on the publication of reports by other dioceses and religious orders such as this report from the Franciscans.

As a result of the Franciscan’s audit, the following friars were determined to have substantiated allegations of sexual abuse of a minor while ministering within the Archdiocese of New Orleans:

Fr. Frank Davied, OFM , ordained 06/04/1976, left the Order
Fr. Alfred Pimple, OFM, ordained 06/11/1938, deceased (Pimple was included in the 2018 Clergy Abuse Report.)

The following friars, who ministered for a time within the Archdiocese of New Orleans, were determined to have substantiated allegations of sexual abuse of a minor while ministering outside the archdiocese:

Fr. Ray Chappa, OFM, ordained 06/07/1975, left the Order / laicized
Fr. Barry (Finbar) Coyle, OFM, ordained 06/13/1958, deceased
Fr. Joachim Lux, OFM, ordained 06/13/1961, deceased
Fr. Carter Partee, OFM, ordained 06/05/1947, left the Order / laicized / deceased
Fr. Juvenal Pfalzer, OFM, ordained 06/12/1942, deceased
Fr. Randolph Thompson, OFM, ordained 06/04/1948, deceased

The Archdiocese of New Orleans is currently reviewing its priest personnel files and in communications with the Franciscans to obtain more information. Once the process is complete these names will be added to the “Clergy List” at nolacatholic.org.

If you have been subjected to sexual abuse or misconduct by a Franciscan of the St. John the Baptist Province or if you have information about someone who has been abused by a friar, the Province advises that you first report it to your local law enforcement authorities.  Then contact Fr. Michael Chowning, OFM, director of the Province Office for the Protection of Children, at 513-721-4700, ext. 3214, or at [email protected].  Your call and the information you provide will be confidential to the extent civil law allows.  The Province is mandated under its zero-tolerance policies and procedures to report allegations and claims to local law enforcement and prosecutorial agencies.