LAFAYETTE — A Roman Catholic is suing over the alleged violation of the secrecy of confession.
Eugene Sonnier II is suing the Roman Catholic Diocese of Lafayette, Bishop Emeritus Jarrell and Father Brian Taylor. The plaintiff filed a complaint on Aug. 29 in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Louisiana against the defendants alleging that they violated the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution.
According to the complaint, the plaintiff alleges that since Sept. 14, 2015, he has suffered injuries, damages, mental and emotional distress and has lost faith in the sacred sacrament of confession. The plaintiff holds the defendants responsible because Taylor allegedly revealed the contents of his confessions to other individuals, Jarrell allegedly refused to reprimand Taylor and the diocese allegedly failed to properly train and supervise its bishops and priests.
The plaintiff requests a trial by jury and seeks judgment against the defendants for for all sums that are due as allowed by law, plus interest, court costs and expert fees and such other relief as the court may deem necessary. He is represented by Harold D. Register Jr. of Harold D. Register Jr. Law Office in Lafayette.
U.S. District Court for the Western District of Louisiana Case number 6:16-cv-01229