Catholic Priest Anthony Odiong Faces Guilty Plea Over Abuse Allegations

A Roman Catholic priest, Father Anthony Odiong, who served in Texas and Louisiana, is tentatively scheduled to plead guilty on Monday to charges that he exploited his clerical authority to prey on spiritually vulnerable women. The case, which has drawn significant public and legal attention, includes allegations of sexual assault, coercion, and abuse of trust.

Prosecutors from Waco, Texas, have emphasized the uncertainty of the hearing, noting that plea settings can be subject to change. If the hearing proceeds, details of the exact charges Odiong will plead guilty to and the potential sentence remain undisclosed.

Father Odiong, 55, faces multiple first- and second-degree sexual assault charges involving three women, although authorities claim to have identified about 10 victims across the United States and abroad. In a recent hearing, Waco police detective Bradley DeLange testified that DNA evidence confirmed Odiong fathered two children with women he allegedly exploited. One child resides in the U.S., while the other lives in Odiong’s native Nigeria.

Investigators allege that Odiong manipulated women seeking spiritual guidance, often targeting those facing marital challenges. Some victims accused him of pressuring them into violating their personal beliefs under the guise of religious advice.

Odiong was arrested in Florida in July 2024 after prior allegations of misconduct surfaced. Despite the church’s awareness of complaints against him as far back as 2019, he continued ministerial duties until 2023. The Diocese of Austin and the Archdiocese of New Orleans have faced criticism for their handling of the allegations, with some accusing church officials of initially covering up complaints.

Odiong’s removal from ministry in 2023 coincided with allegations involving multiple women, but he reportedly attempted to mislead his parishioners, claiming his suspension was due to his opposition to church reforms related to the LGBTQ+ community.

Odiong’s case is part of a wider reckoning within the Catholic Church, particularly in Louisiana, where clergy abuse scandals have prompted investigations and legal actions. In December, retired priest Lawrence Hecker pleaded guilty to kidnapping and raping a boy in 1975, and two other clerics in the Archdiocese of New Orleans have admitted to sexually violent crimes since 2020.

Odiong’s scheduled plea could bring further scrutiny to the church's response to clergy misconduct and the protection of vulnerable parishioners. His hearing is seen as another chapter in the ongoing struggle to address abuse within religious institutions.