In an unexpected twist, internal documents have revealed the significant role played by executives from the NFL’s New Orleans Saints in the response to a clergy sexual abuse scandal involving the local Catholic archdiocese.
The documents, obtained through an investigation by the Associated Press, show that Saints executives were deeply engaged in the damage control efforts as New Orleans church leaders prepared to release a list of priests accused of sexual abuse. This collaboration was far more extensive than previously understood, raising eyebrows and questions about the team’s involvement in such a serious and unrelated issue.
Led by the devoutly Catholic owner Gayle Benson, the team participated in a broad public relations strategy. This included the Saints’ president Dennis Lauscha drafting questions for Archbishop Gregory Aymond to handle press inquiries and the senior vice president of communications Greg Bensel providing regular updates on media interviews.
One revealing moment described in the emails is a call involving a Saints spokesman and the city’s top prosecutor, which allegedly led to certain individuals being removed from the list of accused clergy.
The team’s involvement was characterized as ‘minimal’ at the time, a description now at odds with the content of hundreds of emails. Critics, including state Rep. Mandie Landry, believe the efforts to assist the Church in managing the abuse scandal were misguided and morally questionable.
Adding to the complexity, the Saints’ leadership, including key figures such as Bensel, actively worked with media outlets to support the Church’s narrative and minimize the fallout. These efforts appear to have included direct communication with journalists and appeals to confidentially manage the news.
This partnership between the Saints and the Church comes amidst a backdrop of significant legal and financial repercussions for the Church, including numerous lawsuits from victims and investigations by federal and state authorities. The scandal has already led to over 600 allegations of abuse against clergy members in the region.
Despite these efforts, the Church’s list of accused priests initially missed several clergymen who had been accused or even convicted of abuse, suggesting a potential suppression of information. This omission prompted broader investigations into the archdiocese’s handling of the scandal.
The fallout from the Saints’ involvement has been met with public outcry, particularly from abuse survivors who feel betrayed by an organization they once supported. Kevin Bourgeois, a former season ticket holder, expressed his outrage and mistrust following the revelations.
Looking ahead, the NFL might find itself compelled to address the conduct policy implications of the Saints’ actions, especially as scrutiny over their involvement grows.
The New Orleans Saints’ deep entanglement in managing the Catholic Church’s sexual abuse crisis highlights the complex interplay between local institutions and the challenges of accountability. As new details emerge, the community and involved organizations must reckon with the impact of their decisions and the lingering questions about transparency and justice.
