The Vatican has signed off on a formal investigation into the Diocese of Baton Rouge and how its leaders handled allegations against Father Charbel Jamhoury, who was removed earlier this year as pastor of St. Isidore the Farmer in Baker. The probe follows reports that a diocesan volunteer raised concerns that a parishioner was sexually coerced and that Jamhoury allegedly admitted past sexual contact with minors. Many local Catholics say diocesan officials have not given them the full story and are pressing for clearer answers.
Vatican Taps New Orleans Archbishop to Lead Inquiry
According to The Pillar, the Vatican’s Dicastery for Bishops has authorized New Orleans Archbishop James Checchio to investigate a mid‑February complaint filed through the U.S. bishops’ reporting system. The outlet reports that the investigator was given roughly 50 days to carry out the inquiry, with about two more weeks to send the findings to Rome.
Diocese Says It Followed Protocol, Sent Priest for Evaluation
Local reporting indicates the case traces back to a September 2025 report that alleged inappropriate boundary violations. As outlined by WBRZ, the diocese says it received a complaint in October, hired an independent investigator and then announced the weekend of Dec. 27–28, 2025 that Father Jamhoury would step away from ministry for a health evaluation outside the diocese…