Jury seated for trial of Catholic priest accused of sexual assault in Texas

Jury members were seated on Tuesday for the criminal trial of Anthony Odiong, a Roman Catholic priest accused of sexually abusing three female congregants in Texas. The jury consists of eight women and four men, marking the beginning of a trial that could span multiple weeks. Odiong, 57, faces five counts of first-degree sexual assault and two counts of second-degree sexual assault in Waco, Texas, involving three women he met while serving as a priest.

The charges against Odiong stem from a February 2024 report by The Guardian detailing allegations of sexual coercion, unwanted touching, and abusive financial control by the priest. A woman who read the report later reported to Waco police that Odiong had sexually assaulted her in 2012. This led investigators to identify up to 10 women who may have been victims of his alleged predatory behavior over the years while serving in Texas and the New Orleans archdiocese.

Prosecutors allege that Odiong exploited the emotional dependency of his victims, who were spiritually vulnerable due to his role as a priest, to engage in sexual conduct with them. The women involved include the one who reported the abuse to police, another who described being pressured into an uncomfortable sexual act with her husband, and a third identified through messages recovered during the investigation.

Odiong is charged with first-degree sexual assault against two of the women because they were married at the time of the alleged crimes. Texas law prohibits clergy from living under the appearance of being married to those they are accused of sexually abusing. The trial is expected to proceed with opening arguments scheduled for Tuesday morning, followed by witness testimony.

The legal proceedings underscore the gravity of the charges, with potential sentences ranging from life imprisonment for first-degree sexual assault to up to 20 years in prison and a $10,000 fine for second-degree sexual assault. The case highlights the importance of accountability and the need to protect vulnerable individuals from exploitation, a theme that aligns with Micah 6:8, which calls for justice, mercy, and humble service.

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