The Diocese of Lafayette confirms the allegation of abuse made against a priest are sexual in nature.
    
Bishop J. Douglas Deshotel said the diocese takes the allegations seriously.  The allegation is against Father Michael Guidry, a pastor of nine years at St. Peter Church in Morrow and Resurrection Chapel in Whiteville.
    
The bishop says Father Guidry has been a priest for about 50 years. Guidry is on administrative leave pending the outcome of the investigation.

Bishop Deshotel said the Diocese of Lafayette only knows of the one allegation against 75-year-old Father Guidry. “We checked in his entire career and all of his files and everything; and no we haven’t had any complaints before,” stated Bishop Deshotel.

Deshotel explained the diocese learned last week about the sexual abuse allegation through the victims family and pastor in Ville Platte.
The bishop said Guidry will not be receiving financial support for legal counsel. “It (the diocese) does not provide an attorney. It will assist him with finding legal counsel and ecumenical counsel.”
    
According to the Daily Advertiser; “the diocese and its insurer paid about $26 million to 123 victims of priests who served in the diocese between 1950 and 2002.”
    
The bishop stated he’s committed to the Rules and Charter for the Protection of Young People and Adults. Father Guidry explained the alleged victim was a young boy at the time of the reported incident but is now an adult.  “We encourage anyone to notifiy us or the civil authorities when they have knowledge of or have reason to believe that abuse has occurred,” added Bishop Deshotel.

According to the bishop, Father Tom Voorhies the Pastor of Sacred Heart Church in Ville Platte has been appointed administrator in Guidry’s absence.