Beloved Louisiana Priest Arrested on 500 Counts of Child Pornography
A beloved Louisiana priest left his parishioners in shock Wednesday after he was arrested by state police for allegedly possessing more than 500 images of child pornography.
Fr. Felix Broussard, who has been pastor of the St. Bernard Catholic Church in Breaux Bridge for the last two years, was arrested and booked at the St. Martin Parish jail, according to local news station KLFY. He was later released on $25,000 bond.
A KATC report said earlier this month police received a complaint alleging that a computer Broussard had primary access to contained images indicative of child pornography. During the course of the investigation, more than 500 images of child pornography were identified on the computer. Broussard was then placed under arrest and booked.
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At a press conference on the arrest, Lafayette Bishop J. Douglas Deshotel said Broussard has since been relieved of his position at St. Bernard Church in Breaux Bridge, which included oversight of a school. He noted, however, that there has never been a complaint against Broussard of any kind, only compliments.
"He was, the irony is, a very well-loved pastor in his parish," Deshotel said.
Deshotel explained that the computer had been taken to a repair shop and the technician working on it found the images. The technician, he said, was required by law to report the images to police.
"Child pornography is a plague, and it runs the gamut of all strata of society, and it's something that has to be addressed right at the beginning, as soon as it is known," Deshotel told reporters Wednesday. "That is why I was happy to cooperate with the police when they came to see me, for the protection of young innocent people."
He said when it comes to issues like child pornography, the diocese focuses on addressing them through the use of "common sense" rather than any specific procedure.
"Transparency, informing the public, having a press conference, taking immediate action," he said. "All of those are lessons that we and other institutions have learned over the rules, this is how this should be addressed. That is the modus operandi we use. As soon as we knew something happened we wanted the word to get out to the priests of our diocese and to you the media."
A press release issued by the Diocese of Lafayette further noted: "The Bishop and staff are providing pastoral care to the congregation of Saint Bernard Parish in Breaux Bridge, and will preach at all Masses at Saint Bernard Parish this weekend. The prayers of the diocesan community are requested."
Shocked parishioners said even though they did not expect the news, they still had faith in the good work of the church.
"If you need help, they help you. You come to church, they talk to you, they give you guidance, advice. For something like this to happen with a pastor like this, it's heartbreaking. I just feel bad for the church and the community," Trailand Dartez told KLFY.
Parishoner Brandon Varisco added, "I just don't want this church to become a symbol of the acts of one person. If he's guilty it's disgusting and I don't want our beautiful church that we all love to be a representation in any way of one person's horrible and I would call evil acts."
