Fr. Michael Benedict – Diocese of Lafayette 

| Jul 21, 2021 | Abuser Profiles, Catholic Church

Fr. Michael Benedict

Diocese of Lafayette

Ordained: 1943

Retired: 1979

Died: 1998

Assigned as follows:

  • St. Mary Magdalen Catholic Church (Abbeville, LA)
  • Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist (Lafayette, LA)
  • Our Lady of Fatima Catholic Church (Lafayette, LA)
  • Sacred Heart of Jesus (Oakdale, LA)
  • St Margaret of Scotland (Lake Charles, LA)
  • St. Peter’s Catholic Church (New Iberia, LA)
  • Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary (Church Point, LA)
  • Most Holy Sacrament Convent (Lafayette, LA)

Summary of Abuse Allegations Against Fr. Michael Benedict:

Fr. Michael Benedict was ordained a priest in 1943, and served in the Diocese of Charlotte. According to media reports, in April 2019, he was publicly named on the Diocese of Lafayette’s disclosure list of “diocesan clergy against whom credible allegations have been made regarding sexual abuse of a minor or vulnerable adult.” Information about the date, age/gender of his alleged victim/victims and the nature of the alleged sexual abuse was not provided by the Diocese of Lafayette.

According to media reports, Fr. Benedict’s name also appears on a list of clergy included in diocese documents that were part of a lawsuit the Diocese of Lafayette filed against its insurance carriers. Benedict’s entry on the list reads, “retired- Living in Florida. Was not recommended to Orders. Suspected of being mixed up with a married lady, but nothing on file.”

Fr. Benedict died in 1998.

Horowitz Law is a law firm representing victims and survivors of sexual abuse by Catholic priests and other clergy in the Diocese of Lafayette in Louisiana.  If you need a lawyer because you were sexually abused by a priest in Louisiana, contact our office today. Although many years have passed, those abused by Catholic clergy in the Diocese of Lafayette may now have legal options, but filing deadlines will apply so do not delay in reaching out to us.  Our lawyers have decades of experience representing survivors of clergy sexual abuse in Louisiana and nationwide.  We can help.

Contact us at 888-283-9922 or [email protected] to discuss your options today.