Catholic deacon Scott Peyton of Louisiana awaits a decision from Vaticano on his appeal against the excommunication imposed by Diocese of Lafayette. The case has been pending for almost two years. The measure was applied after Peyton left Igreja Católica as a result of his son’s sexual abuse case.
The appeal, presented in May 2024 to Dicastério for Doutrina of Fé, seeks to nullify the excommunication decree. The case of Peyton brings to the fore crucial discussions about canon law, pastoral practice, and the way Igreja handles abuse-related disputes. The prolonged wait for resolution leaves its canonical status uncertain.
The journey of faith and the abuse that shook the family
Scott Peyton, who grew up in the Methodist faith, converted to Catholicism as an adult in 2001. Ele and his wife, Letitia, were dedicated to aligning their lives with Igreja’s teachings. The family, which grew to six children, became deeply integrated into parish life. Peyton even reversed a vasectomy to follow Catholic guidelines on family life.
In 2007, Peyton discerned his vocation and was ordained a permanent deacon in 2012. Ele was assigned to Igreja Católica from São Pedro in Morrow, a rural parish where his family was already members. Lá, built a strong bond with the then parish priest, Padre Michael Guidry. The diocese assigned him to the parish at the request of Peyton and Padre Guidry himself.
Guidry was a constant presence in the lives of the Peyton family. Ele invited them to meals and praised them for their service. Peyton’s children often visited Guidry’s house to help with daily chores. Segundo Scott Peyton, the priest offered alcohol to the children without their parents’ knowledge. Confidence in the priesthood and in Padre Guidry was immense. “It never crossed our minds that he might be grooming our family to commit child sexual abuse,” Peyton wrote in his appeal to Vaticano. Essa trust was painfully broken in May 2018. Oliver, Peyton’s son, revealed that he had been drunk and sexually assaulted by Guidry three years earlier. Essa’s revelation began a series of events that would change the family’s relationship with Igreja.
Reação diocesan and public family drama
One day after Oliver’s revelation, on May 21, 2018, Scott and Oliver reported the incident to the sheriff’s office. Quatro days later, on May 25, the sheriff interviewed Guidry, who initially admitted to inappropriate conduct but was not arrested. On May 29, Peyton reported the allegation to diocesan authorities. At first, Diocese’s Lafayette employees seemed understanding.
However, this perception quickly changed. On June 2, 2018, the wedding day of Peyton’s eldest son, Bishop J. Douglas Deshotel of Lafayette publicly announced the accusation during parish masses. Ele provided details that made the family identifiable in the small community. The diocese also issued a statement announcing the indictment on the same day. Oliver Peyton’s name was disclosed in a 2018 court case and has appeared in media reports. “I cannot emphasize enough how distressing the timing chosen by the diocese for the announcement was for my family,” Peyton wrote. Ele also lamented the bishop’s breach of the victim’s anonymity, which forced the family to publicly expose themselves before informing relatives.
Durante At a press conference on June 4, Bishop Deshotel stated that if the accusation was found to be “not credible,” Father Guidry could return to ministry. Peyton argued that this statement suggested uncertainty, even after Guidry’s confessions to police in May. The bishop, by raising such a possibility, would have given Guidry an opportunity to assert his innocence. Deshotel also disclosed that the victim’s parents now attended another church in Ville Platte, revealing details that identified the family. The diocese offered psychological counseling, but warned the family that payments would stop if they took legal action.
Resolução from the civil process and the removal of Igreja
On June 13, 2018, Padre Guidry was questioned by the police again. Desta once, in the presence of his lawyer, confessed to the abuse in a way that constituted a crime. Guidry turned himself in to police the following day and was arrested, charged and released on bail. Ele was eventually sentenced to prison. The response from São Pedro’s parish, however, was favorable to the priest. Paroquianos helped him move out of the rectory and hosted a lunch in his honor. Rumores disputing Peyton’s son’s version were also spread. The family felt increasing isolation and a deterioration in their standing in the community.
“Of the over one hundred Diocese deacons of Lafayette, only about six continued to extend the hand of brotherhood to me,” wrote Peyton. In August 2018, the family filed a civil lawsuit against Guidry and Lafayette’s Diocese. Imediatamente After the action, Peyton was warned by the clergy that he could be removed from the clerical status. “At this rate, I would be removed from the priesthood even before the priest who molested my son”, he said. Diocese of Lafayette did not comment on NCR’s request for comment.
In 2021, the civil case was finally resolved. The diocese announced that it found the allegations credible and that Guidry had been permanently removed from ministry. The statement included a brief apology to Oliver and his family, but, according to Peyton, did not address other aspects of the family’s experience. Após the agreement, the psychological counseling paid for by the diocese was immediately interrupted. Scott Peyton and his family then created a non-profit organization to support victims of abuse and advocate for reform.
- Marcos from Caso Scott Peyton:
* 2012:Scott Peyton is ordained permanent deacon in Diocese of Lafayette.
*Maio 2015:Filho of Peyton, Oliver, is sexually abused by Padre Michael Guidry.
*Maio 2018:Oliver reveals the abuse to the family, who report the case to civil and diocesan authorities.
*Junho 2018:Bispo Deshotel publicly announces the accusation, and Padre Guidry is arrested and charged.
*Agosto 2018:Família Peyton files civil action against Padre Guidry and Diocese.
*2021:Processo civil is resolved, and Padre Guidry is permanently removed from ministry.
*2023 Dezembro:Scott Peyton sends letter to Bishop Deshotel resigning from active ministry.
*2024 Março:Peyton receives decree of excommunication from the diocese.
*2024 Maio:Scott Peyton formally appeals to Dicastério to Doutrina to Fé to Vaticano.
Over time, the family began attending an Anglican congregation, seeking a different environment. In a December 2023 letter, Peyton formalized his departure from Igreja Católica, resigning from active ministry. Bishop Deshotel, in his initial response, was understanding. However, months later, in March 2024, Peyton received an excommunication decree. “It was one of those situations where we think, ‘If you can’t quit, we’ll fire you,'” Peyton reported.
The excommunication controversy and canon law
Excommunication is considered one of the most serious canonical acts that a Catholic bishop can impose. Dawn Eden Goldstein, a canon lawyer who represents Peyton pro bono, argued that the bishop’s decision was unjustified and pastorally harmful. Ela was “horrified by what she saw as a total pastoral failure.” Goldstein stressed that Peyton did not publicly present himself as someone who would continue in Catholic ministry after his resignation. Suas’s actions did not create the type of scandal that would require an imposed excommunication. “It didn’t seem clear to me that the bishop had tried to look for other, more pastoral solutions,” he said.
The May 2024 appeal to Vaticano seeks to overturn the decree. Canon lawyer Nicholas Cafardi, former dean of Faculdade of Direito Thomas R. Kline of Universidade Duquesne, offered another perspective. Segundo Cafardi, the central issue in this case is not the bishop’s action, but the canonical concept of schism. In his view, the schism constitutes a rupture of communion with the Igreja Católica, specifically a rejection of the authority of the Papa.
According to canon law, such a breach carries an automatic penalty, known as *latae sententiae*. Isso means that excommunication occurs by the act of schism itself and is not imposed by a bishop. A schism usually occurs when an ordained member officially separates from the authority and hierarchy of the Igreja due to doctrinal or organizational disagreements. Cafardi emphasized that excommunication in this context is not punitive, but rather a “medicinal” penalty. The goal is to correct and promote reconciliation. Reconciliation would require the individual to renounce the schism and formally return to Igreja, usually through a profession of faith.
Goldstein, on the other hand, focuses on the circumstances that led to Peyton’s departure from Igreja. In a letter to Vaticano authorities, she argued that canon law must consider whether the person intended to break with Igreja or acted under pressure. Ela drew an analogy with Igreja’s marriage law. Assim as a spouse can be justified in leaving a harmful situation, Peyton’s departure should be evaluated. Ela cited Diocese’s “continuing pastoral failures and outspoken antagonism.” Tais failures “put their children in grave danger of losing their Christian faith.” The lawyer believes that the excommunication against Peyton was not a “medicinal” penalty. Para she, has the appearance of a punishment for him successfully processing Diocese from Lafayette.
Peyton’s appeal and the future of discussion
Peyton described his brief attendance at an Anglican church as a response to what he and his family experienced in Catholic environments. “We didn’t feel empowered going to Mass,” he said. “So we tried to choose a place that would offer us some support and nourish us spiritually.” Ele also rejected the suggestion that he intended to incur excommunication. “That was never the intention,” Peyton stated. Sua letter of resignation to the bishop was intended to make clear that he was stepping aside without seeking to provoke a canonical penalty.
Peyton noted that the bishop’s initial response was “pastoral” and did not warn him of excommunication. The decree only came about three months later. Nesse period, Peyton and his family began speaking out publicly about the abuses and advocating for legislative changes at Louisiana. Lawyer Goldstein questioned the process that led to the excommunication. Ela emphasized the lack of pastoral involvement on the part of the diocese. “The bishop had a responsibility to speak, meet and dialogue with him,” she said. Não There were indications of such contact following Peyton’s resignation.
The lawyer recognizes that Peyton could be aware of the possibility of automatic excommunication due to his theological training. Contudo, she argues that her conduct did not rise to the level of public defiance or scandal that would justify an imposed formal excommunication. The case raises broader questions about how canon law is applied. Ele considers personal circumstances, including trauma and failures in community support. Isso influences a cleric’s decision to leave the faith.
“I believe Papa Francisco and Papa Leão XIII would agree that regardless of the position of the law on this case, Deacon Peyton is entitled to closure,” Goldstein said. “He has the right to a resolution.” The lawyer also questions Igreja’s positioning for victims of abuse. “People who have walked away from Igreja Católica because of the pain and anger caused by the abuse crisis have a right to know: Does Igreja consider them excommunicated for their pain?” Peyton, in turn, expresses his tiredness. “After two years of dragging this out, I want to know where Roma stands,” he said. “I want Roma to respond.”