Vatican probes Bishop Michael Duca over claims he discouraged reporting abuse, amid allegations involving a Baton Rouge priest.
Newsroom (08/05/2026 Gaudium Press )The Vatican has authorized a formal investigation into the Diocese of Baton Rouge following allegations that Bishop Michael Duca discouraged a whistleblower from reporting suspected abuse to civil authorities, according to information provided to The Pillar.
The inquiry, conducted under the Church’s Vos estis lux mundi procedures, will examine claims that diocesan leadership failed to properly respond to accusations involving a local priest who allegedly admitted to sexual contact with minors. The priest, Fr. Charbel Jamhoury, has denied the allegations.
Vatican Action After Delay
The investigation was authorized by the Vatican’s Dicastery for Bishops and assigned to Archbishop James Checchio of New Orleans. The decision came after criticism that Vatican officials had not acted within the 30-day timeframe mandated by Vos estis lux mundi, a 2021 set of norms governing investigations into bishops.
Luke Zumo, a Baton Rouge Catholic who filed the complaint in mid-February through the Catholic Bishop Abuse Reporting Service, said he was only notified of the investigation after The Pillar reported on the delay in early May.
According to Zumo, Archbishop Checchio has been instructed to complete the investigation within 50 days and submit findings within an additional 15 days.
Neither the Diocese of Baton Rouge nor the Archdiocese of New Orleans has responded to requests for further comment.
Allegations Against Priest and Diocese
The case originates from a September 2025 complaint by an adult male parishioner, who accused Jamhoury, then pastor of St. Isidore the Farmer parish in Baker, Louisiana, of attempting to coerce him into a sexual relationship.
The accuser alleges that Jamhoury engaged in inappropriate physical contact and described explicit past sexual encounters, including alleged acts involving minors. These claims include assertions that the priest detailed a preference for sexual activity with minors.
Jamhoury has firmly denied all allegations, stating he “absolutely did not” attempt to initiate sexual contact or admit to abuse. He instead claimed that he was subjected to mistreatment by the accuser but declined to provide further details.
Questions Over Diocesan Response
The whistleblower report filed by Zumo alleges that Bishop Duca and Vicar General Fr. Jamin David failed to follow established safeguarding protocols after the October 2025 complaint.
According to the report:
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The diocesan review board and Office of Child and Youth Protection were not notified.
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The priest remained in ministry during the preliminary investigation.
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The bishop allegedly discouraged Zumo from contacting law enforcement in December 2025.
Zumo also claimed that diocesan communications omitted mention of the alleged admission involving minors, potentially leaving families unaware of the severity of the situation.
The Diocese of Baton Rouge has stated that it conducted an internal investigation, including law enforcement interviews and a psychological evaluation of Jamhoury. In February 2026, the priest was removed from his position as pastor.
In a statement to The Pillar, the diocese characterized the issue as involving “serious boundary violations” and said the removal followed “extensive conversation with all parties involved.”
Broader Implications
The case highlights ongoing scrutiny of how Catholic dioceses handle allegations of abuse and whether bishops comply with both civil reporting expectations and internal Church law.
Vos estis lux mundi was introduced by Pope Francis to ensure accountability among bishops, particularly in cases involving abuse or negligence. The current investigation will test the effectiveness of those norms, especially regarding timeliness and transparency in responding to complaints.
The outcome of the Baton Rouge inquiry could carry broader implications for episcopal oversight and the enforcement of safeguarding standards across U.S. dioceses.
- Raju Hasmukh with files from The Pillar
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