Church Moves Priest Accused of Assault

In July, a Texas law was invoked by Waco police to file criminal charges against a priest, Fr. Enderle, accused of sexual misconduct by multiple women during his tenure in Texas and southeast Louisiana. One of the accusers, Friloux, expressed her hope for the Catholic Church to appoint leaders who take such complaints seriously, particularly within the New Orleans archdiocese, which filed for bankruptcy in 2020 due to the financial repercussions of the clergy abuse crisis. Friloux initially reported her concerns to the archdiocese in March, leading to Enderle's reassignment to an assisted living facility in Missouri, where he would be monitored by his religious order. She criticized the church's response, describing it as reminiscent of past practices where accused clergy were simply relocated rather than held accountable. This pattern of behavior has been a longstanding issue within the church, particularly highlighted during the 2002 Boston clergy abuse scandal. Friloux recounted a troubling encounter with Enderle on March 17, 2024, when he attempted to initiate an inappropriate advance after they had planned to attend a film together. Despite her clear rejection of his advances, Enderle later claimed he did not remember her, a statement Friloux found dismissive. She maintains that she has evidence, including phone records and witnesses, to substantiate their acquaintance and the nature of his conduct. The ongoing situation underscores the persistent challenges faced by survivors of clergy abuse in seeking justice and accountability within the Catholic Church.