Jeanie Hannaman

By Gene Gomulka, Complicit Clergy - Lafayette Bishop J. Douglas Deshotel has come under fire amid media reports that he excommunicated Deacon Scott Peyton after his teenage son was sexually abused by Lafayette Father Michael Guidry. Faithful Catholics are slamming Deshotel’s claim that Peyton “sever[ed] ties with the Catholic Church” by writing to him with concerns about clerical sex abuse cover-ups. While Peyton, a sex abuse victims’ advocate, was ousted from the Church, there is no indication that Guidry, who pled guilty and is sentenced to seven years in prison for molesting Peyton’s son, has ever been excommunicated. Sex abuse experts point out that Deshotel is one among a growing list of bishops who prove that the only sex abuse policy Church officials choose to enforce is “zero tolerance” for victims and whistleblowers.

By Elie Dib, Catholic Exchange - The profound spiritual writings of Don Dolindo illuminate the Christian belief that earthly sufferings, offered up in union with Christ, store up eternal treasures in heaven. As he comments in his extensive biblical commentary, “The pains become priceless riches, and this is the price of an eternal and ineffable happiness” (Commentary on Revelation). This underscores how sufferings take on spiritual value, becoming incalculable riches that purchase everlasting joy. Don Dolindo goes on to assure that “Those who fear God have a light that shines through the darkness of their troubles, a light that comforts and never goes out” (Commentary on Psalms). ...