This is an archived article and the information in the article may be outdated. Please look at the time stamp on the story to see when it was last updated.

archbishop gregory aymondNEW ORLEANS – A spokesman for the Orleans Parish District Attorney’s office said attorneys stand ready to prosecute any Archdiocese of New Orleans priests accused of sexual assault.

“The District Attorney’s office has received today’s disclosure by the New Orleans diocese of the names of church officials and employees against whom allegations of sexual assault have been made,” Ken Daley with the OPDA said. “As always, we stand ready to evaluate for possible prosecution any cases brought to us after investigations are completed by the New Orleans Police Department. District Attorney Leon Cannizzaro has a long track record of aggressively prosecuting those who sexually assault or exploit innocent children, and he will continue to do so whenever the evidence and the law allow.”

Archbishop Gregory Aymond said last month that he would release a list of archdiocesan clergy who have been “credibly accused” of sexual assault.

The NOPD issued the following statement about the potential for criminal investigations stemming from the list of names.

“The NOPD has not yet received any official communication from the Archdiocese of New Orleans containing names of clergy members accused of abuse and has only seen the list contained in local media reports. The NOPD is asking any victims claiming sexual assault by clergy, in the past or present, to come forward and file a police report. The NOPD will thoroughly investigate any allegations reported by potential victims of alleged abuse by clergy.”