New Orleans Catholic School Settles Child Abuse Lawsuit Again 2026

New Orleans Catholic school Jesuit High School has agreed to another out-of-court settlement over child sexual abuse accusations, marking the second such payout in two months. The latest settlement, filed on July 27, resolves a lawsuit by a plaintiff using the pseudonym Jayson Doe, who alleged he was molested by janitor Pete Modica in the late 1970s. This case is part of a broader clergy molestation scandal that drove the Archdiocese of New Orleans to file for bankruptcy in 2020.

Details of the Recent Settlement

The agreement was reached just ahead of a late September trial date in the city's civil district court. Terms were not disclosed, but attorney Richard Trahant, who represents Doe, did not deny that the settlement exceeds a $2.4 million verdict awarded to an unrelated Louisiana abuse claimant in 2025. This follows a June settlement involving another plaintiff who also accused Modica and a custodian colleague.

Background of the Abuse Claims

Jayson Doe testified that he was 13 when he entered Jesuit High School in 1978, and Modica began molesting him shortly after. The lawsuits are separate from the archdiocese's bankruptcy case, which in December agreed to pay $305 million to hundreds of abuse survivors. However, those payments have not yet been distributed, leaving many victims waiting.

Comparison of Settlement Cases

Impact on Abuse Survivors and the Church

These settlements highlight the ongoing struggle for justice among abuse survivors. The archdiocese's bankruptcy plan aims to compensate victims, but delays in payment add to their trauma. For Catholic institutions, this case underscores the need for transparency and accountability.

• Second settlement in two months shows pattern of addressing claims privately.
• Jesuit High School has not commented on the terms.
• Survivors await $305M from archdiocese bankruptcy.
• Legal experts note that out-of-court settlements avoid public trials.

Legal and Financial Ramifications

The settlements come as the Archdiocese of New Orleans, one of the most Catholic communities in the U.S., seeks to emerge from bankruptcy. The $305 million payout is among the largest in church abuse cases, but the delay in disbursement raises concerns. Meanwhile, individual lawsuits against schools like Jesuit continue, independent of the bankruptcy process.

What This Means for Victims

For victims, these settlements offer some closure but also highlight the difficulty of pursuing claims against powerful institutions. The pseudonym 'Jayson Doe' illustrates the stigma still attached to abuse survivors. Advocacy groups urge other victims to come forward, noting that statutes of limitations have been extended in many states.

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