Father Jody Simoneaux has been accused of improper behavior with minors.

Simoneaux is currently the pastor at St. John the Evangelist Church in Jeanerette.  According to the Diocese of Lafayette, the allegations happened more than 30 years ago when Simoneaux was assigned to St. Anthony Church and St. Edmund High School in Eunice, and later at St. Anne Church in Youngsville.

The Diocese has reported these allegations to authorities in St. Landry Parish and in Lafayette Parish.  They added they are urging anyone with information on any cases of possible abuse to come forward to local authorities and to the Diocese.

Here is the full statement from the Diocese:

    In recent days, the Diocese of Lafayette received a report that the Reverend Jody J. Simoneaux, pastor of St. John the Evangelist Church in Jeanerette, was involved in improper behavior with minors more than thirty years ago when Father Simoneaux was assigned to St. Anthony Church and St. Edmund High School in Eunice, and later at St. Anne Church in Youngsville.  Father Simoneaux has been placed on administrative leave pending a determination in this matter.  Further, the Diocese has reported these allegations to law enforcement authorities in St. Landry Parish and in Lafayette Parish.  We are unaware of any other allegations involving Father Simoneaux at this time.  The Diocese is continuing to cooperate fully with law enforcement, and we urge anyone with any information on any cases of possible abuse to please come forward to local authorities and to the Diocese.

Blue Rolfes

Director of Communications

Diocese of Lafayette

The Lafayette Parish Sheriff’s Office also released a statement saying, “Based on my preliminary research, we do not have any recent complaints concerning this individual. Our office will begin researching our archives to see if any can be found,” said Lt. John Mowell.