Vatican upholds excommunication of US deacon who resigned after son was molested by priest
Scott Peyton joined the Anglicans after the crime against his son. Then the Catholic church officially expelled him
TL;DR
- The Vatican's Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith (DDF) has upheld the excommunication of Louisiana deacon Scott Peyton.
- Peyton resigned from the Catholic clergy after a priest, Michael Guidry, molested his son.
- Peyton's excommunication was based on his joining an Anglican congregation, which the DDF cited as a refusal of submission to the Pope.
- Peyton and his legal representation intend to appeal the DDF's decision.
- Critics argue the excommunication is a disproportionately harsh punishment compared to the handling of the abusive priest, Michael Guidry, who remains in the Catholic priesthood.
- Peyton's son, Oliver, was sexually abused by Guidry while serving as an altar server.
- Guidry was sentenced to seven years in prison after pleading guilty to abusing Oliver Peyton.
- The Lafayette diocese previously apologized for a farewell lunch given to Guidry by his church.
- Peyton, his wife, and son received a $350,000 out-of-court settlement from the Lafayette diocese in 2021.
- Peyton and his family have become advocates for clergy abuse survivors.