Baton Rouge Diocese Shields Accused Priest as Vatican Ignores Abuse Complaint
The Pillar portal reports that a whistleblower complaint filed in February 2026 regarding the Diocese of Baton Rouge, Louisiana, remains unanswered by the Vatican’s Dicastery for Bishops, despite the requirement under *Vos estis lux mundi* that the dicastery provide instructions within 30 days. The complaint alleges that diocesan officials, including Bishop Michael Duca and Vicar General Fr. Jamin David, failed to properly address accusations of sexual misconduct against Fr. Charbel Jamhoury, a Lebanese Maronite priest, including an alleged admission of sexual contact with minors. The whistleblower, Luke Zumo, claims the diocese minimized the allegations, discouraged reporting to law enforcement, and allowed the priest to remain in ministry for months. This case exemplifies the systemic failure of the post-conciliar structures to uphold justice and protect the faithful, revealing a hierarchy more concerned with reputation than the souls entrusted to their care.







