Texas Bishop Reassures Faithful that Sacraments Received from Convicted Priest are Valid - Urges All to Pray for Victims
Following the life sentence of Father Anthony Odiong for sexual assault, Bishop Daniel E. Garcia of Austin, Texas, issued a pastoral message focusing on prayers for the victims and healing for the community. The bishop also reassured parishioners that under Catholic teaching, the sacraments previously administered by Odiong remain valid regardless of the priest's criminal actions.See Also - Former New Orleans Priest Receives Lifetime Prison Sentence https://www.catholicnewsworld.com/2026/06/former-new-orleans-priest-receives.html
FULL TEXT - Pastoral Message regarding the verdict and sentence of a priest who served in the diocese
FULL TEXT - Pastoral Message regarding the verdict and sentence of a priest who served in the diocese
JUNE 3, 2026
by Most Reverend Daniel E. Garcia
My dear Brothers and Sisters:
Last week, a jury found Father Anthony Odiong, a priest of the Diocese of Uyo, Nigeria, who served in this diocese from 2008-2012, guilty of sexually assaulting women. Yesterday, the court imposed a sentence of life imprisonment.
I am grateful for the investigation and work of the local enforcement officials. I also want to thank the victims for testifying. I wish to assure the faithful in this diocese that diocesan officials cooperated with law enforcement authorities during their investigation. I have been informed that an appeal is likely. We will continue our prayers for a just result and cooperate as necessary.
There have been questions and speculation about what the diocese knew in 2012 when Fr. Odiong left the diocese regarding any inappropriate behavior on his part at that time. I want to assure the faithful that the testimonies at the criminal trial revealed information and actions that were not reported to the diocese in 2012. While the diocese did receive allegations of misconduct before Fr. Odiong left on his own, the information known to us at the time did not indicate the level of criminality and egregious nature of the details revealed in court testimony. Allegations of criminal sexual assault were first reported to local law enforcement by the victims in 2024.
I also wish to assure the faithful who received the sacraments administered by Fr. Odiong that the sacraments were and remain valid. As St. Augustine eloquently stated, the validity of the Sacrament depends on Christ and the form, matter, and intent of the Sacrament, not on the moral status of the minister.
The verdict and sentence imposed against Fr. Odiong is the first of potentially many steps that will follow including his appeal, civil and pastoral conversations with the victims, and canonical inquiries or proceedings. Anthony Odiong remains a priest but is without faculties to generally engage in priestly ministry. I have been asked if canonical proceedings will begin to seek the dismissal of Fr. Odiong from the clerical state. This is a question that I, alone cannot answer, and I must seek counsel from the proper dicastery in the Holy See as well as the bishop of Fr. Odiong’s home Diocese of Uyo. It is typical that canonical proceedings are not initiated or are paused while criminal or civil litigation occurs, so as not to jeopardize the fair and equitable administration of justice. It is my intention to make the proper inquiries.
Today, my prayers focus on the victims, their families, law enforcement, investigators, and the community of the faithful in the diocese, especially in the Waco and West areas. I pray that this process has brought them some peace. The longer process of healing continues. I also pray for God’s wisdom and mercy to be bestowed on all who so desperately need His mercy and consolation.
I ask all members of the faithful of this great diocese to join me in this time of prayer.
Sincerely in Christ,
Most Reverend Daniel E. Garcia
Bishop of Austin
by Most Reverend Daniel E. Garcia
My dear Brothers and Sisters:
Last week, a jury found Father Anthony Odiong, a priest of the Diocese of Uyo, Nigeria, who served in this diocese from 2008-2012, guilty of sexually assaulting women. Yesterday, the court imposed a sentence of life imprisonment.
I am grateful for the investigation and work of the local enforcement officials. I also want to thank the victims for testifying. I wish to assure the faithful in this diocese that diocesan officials cooperated with law enforcement authorities during their investigation. I have been informed that an appeal is likely. We will continue our prayers for a just result and cooperate as necessary.
There have been questions and speculation about what the diocese knew in 2012 when Fr. Odiong left the diocese regarding any inappropriate behavior on his part at that time. I want to assure the faithful that the testimonies at the criminal trial revealed information and actions that were not reported to the diocese in 2012. While the diocese did receive allegations of misconduct before Fr. Odiong left on his own, the information known to us at the time did not indicate the level of criminality and egregious nature of the details revealed in court testimony. Allegations of criminal sexual assault were first reported to local law enforcement by the victims in 2024.
I also wish to assure the faithful who received the sacraments administered by Fr. Odiong that the sacraments were and remain valid. As St. Augustine eloquently stated, the validity of the Sacrament depends on Christ and the form, matter, and intent of the Sacrament, not on the moral status of the minister.
The verdict and sentence imposed against Fr. Odiong is the first of potentially many steps that will follow including his appeal, civil and pastoral conversations with the victims, and canonical inquiries or proceedings. Anthony Odiong remains a priest but is without faculties to generally engage in priestly ministry. I have been asked if canonical proceedings will begin to seek the dismissal of Fr. Odiong from the clerical state. This is a question that I, alone cannot answer, and I must seek counsel from the proper dicastery in the Holy See as well as the bishop of Fr. Odiong’s home Diocese of Uyo. It is typical that canonical proceedings are not initiated or are paused while criminal or civil litigation occurs, so as not to jeopardize the fair and equitable administration of justice. It is my intention to make the proper inquiries.
Today, my prayers focus on the victims, their families, law enforcement, investigators, and the community of the faithful in the diocese, especially in the Waco and West areas. I pray that this process has brought them some peace. The longer process of healing continues. I also pray for God’s wisdom and mercy to be bestowed on all who so desperately need His mercy and consolation.
I ask all members of the faithful of this great diocese to join me in this time of prayer.
Sincerely in Christ,
Most Reverend Daniel E. Garcia
Bishop of Austin
Source: https://austindiocese.org/news/pastoral-message-regarding-the-verdict-and-sentence-of-a-priest-who-served-in-the-diocese
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