Losing Faith: Despite predatory past, deacon welcomed back to Catholic institutions
This is Part 2 in a three-part series on 50 years of pedophilia allegations against Catholic deacon George Brignac. Author: David Hammer, Ramon Antonio Vargas Published: 11:57 AM EST December 17, 2020 Updated: 9:35 PM EST December 18, 2020
NEW ORLEANS Anyone else in George Brignac’s shoes saddled with the disgrace that accompanies his name might have gotten the hell out of Dodge and tried to reinvent himself, to outrun the shame.
Over the 12 years he served as a deacon at Our Lady of the Rosary Church, beginning in 1976, Brignac had been accused of molesting at least five boys and was arrested by authorities at least three times.
A Monster in our Midst: The Story of George Brignac
It was 1953, and George Brignac was fresh out of high school when he joined the regional chapter of the Christian Brothers.
He spent seven years with the Catholic order, which founded four well-known local schools: St. Paul’s in Covington, De La Salle and Christian Brothers in New Orleans, and Archbishop Rummel in Metairie. But, by 1960, the order had expelled him.
Brignac told some people it was for “reasons of health.” Another time, his superior in the order said Brignac found “obedience difficult.”
Years later, his twin, a priest named Horace L. “H.L.” Brignac, revealed the truth in a statement to police: George Brignac had been “too friendly with boys.”
Losing Faith: Despite predatory past, deacon welcomed back to Catholic institutions
This is Part 2 in a three-part series on 50 years of pedophilia allegations against Catholic deacon George Brignac. Author: David Hammer, Ramon Antonio Vargas Published: 10:57 AM CST December 17, 2020 Updated: 8:35 PM CST December 18, 2020
NEW ORLEANS Anyone else in George Brignac’s shoes saddled with the disgrace that accompanies his name might have gotten the hell out of Dodge and tried to reinvent himself, to outrun the shame.
Over the 12 years he served as a deacon at Our Lady of the Rosary Church, beginning in 1976, Brignac had been accused of molesting at least five boys and was arrested by authorities at least three times.
Monster in our midst: Despite predatory past, deacon welcomed back to Catholic institutions nola.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from nola.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
Jan. 6, 1935: George Feldner Brignac is born to Horace L. Brignac Sr. and Ethel Marie Cocke Brignac.
1953: Brignac graduates from De La Salle High School, which was founded by the Christian Brothers. He joins the order soon after graduation.
1960: The Christian Brothers dismiss Brignac for reasons that arenât immediately clear. Many years later, his twin brother â the late Rev. Horace L. âH.L.â Brignac â says George is kicked out for being âtoo friendly with boys.â
George Brignac s twin brother, a priest named Horace H.L. Brignac Jr., tells a New Orleans police detective in November 2019 that George was…
1964: Brignac begins teaching at St. Matthew the Apostle in River Ridge. He also serves as a prefect of discipline.