The Archdiocese of New Orleans is moving to strip Father Anthony Odiong's name from the Our Lady of Guadalupe Healing Chapel in Luling, Louisiana, as his criminal case in Texas grinds forward. Odiong has been jailed since his July 2024 arrest and faces multiple felony counts alleging sexual assault and possession of child pornography. Judges in McLennan County have reset parts of the court calendar for late May, and church officials are pointing to a bankruptcy-era agreement that requires the removal of public honors for clergy who are credibly accused.
Donor Plaques in the Crosshairs
Odiong was a key fundraiser behind the Our Lady of Guadalupe Healing Chapel, helping to pull in roughly $600,000 for its construction, and his name appears on donor inscriptions that sources say are now marked for removal, according to The Guardian. The planned takedown would line up with a non-monetary term in the archdiocese's bankruptcy settlement that orders the removal of plaques, statues and other public recognition for clergy facing credible allegations.
Court Calendar Slows, Cases Combined
A McLennan County judge has granted a defense request to delay Odiong's trial while also approving prosecutors' move to merge three pending cases into one, with jury selection now set to start May 23 and testimony to follow on May 26, according to KWTX. Odiong remains in county custody on a multi-million-dollar bond as lawyers on both sides argue over evidence, scheduling and the shape of the eventual trial.
On the Accused List and Out of Ministry
Odiong has been placed on the Archdiocese of New Orleans' roster of priests accused of abuse, and clergy added to that list are removed from ministry while criminal cases are pending or until there is a verdict, MySA reports. Bishop Joe S. Vásquez said he was "deeply saddened" by the developments, and archdiocesan officials have said they are cooperating with law enforcement. Court records also show Odiong was at one point prepared to enter a plea in December 2024 before withdrawing that agreement.
Allegations From Multiple Women
Reporting and court files reviewed by The Guardian indicate investigators have identified as many as 10 women who have accused Odiong of inappropriate sexual conduct, with prosecutors arguing he preyed on the emotional dependency of spiritually vulnerable congregants. At a preliminary hearing, prosecutors told the court that DNA evidence suggested Odiong fathered at least one child with a woman he met through his ministry.
High Stakes if Convicted
If he is convicted on the most serious charges, Odiong could face a potential life sentence under Texas law for first-degree sexual assault, while second-degree counts carry lesser penalties, according to KWTX. Defense attorneys have filed motions for bond reductions, suppression of certain evidence and other forms of relief, moves that have slowed the pretrial process and led judges to stretch out the timeline.
The archdiocese and parish leaders have not released a schedule for taking Odiong's name off the chapel. As of early May, the inscription was still in place, according to press reports. The Our Lady of Guadalupe Healing Chapel is part of St. Anthony of Padua in Luling, and the parish continues to list the chapel and its healing masses on its website.
