Unspeakable tragedies cry out for God’s consolation

Archbishop Gregory M. Aymond
Archbishop of New Orleans
Clarion Herald

The people of the Archdiocese of New Orleans are reeling from two tragedies that have occurred over the last two weeks – the murders of Father Otis Young and longtime pastoral associate Ruth Prats – and the accidental death of Father Jimmy Jeanfreau. How can you make sense of these horrific events?

Both situations are unimaginable tragedies. The people of St. Peter Parish in Covington – and the entire archdiocese – are hurting over the murders of Father Otis and Ruth. Father Otis served for 10 years as St. Peter’s pastor, and he was someone who was genuinely loved for his dedication and his work ethic. He never stopped serving his people, even when he was slowed by a stroke in 2020. It was amazing to see how he battled back during his rehabilitation to get strong enough to return to celebrating Mass, even though he needed the assistance of a walker. He told me when he had the stroke that he did not want to immediately retire because he wanted to continue serving the people, and he also wanted to see what he was capable of as a priest whenever he did retire. For probably three decades, Ruth was a true servant leader at St. Peter. She ran the RCIA program and is responsible for bringing hundreds of people into the church at the Easter Vigil over the years. She also had a heart for the poor and disenfranchised. I was able to go to St. Peter’s last weekend to celebrate the Masses, and the people are hurting. I extend my prayerful support and that of the clergy, religious and laity of the archdiocese, to the Covington community, and in particular for the parishioners of St. Peter Parish. I also want to extend my gratitude and prayers to the law enforcement personnel, the coroner and all authorities who worked so carefully and thoroughly through these very difficult circumstances.

When did you find out about Father Jimmy?

I was on the way to celebrate the Funeral Mass for my seminary classmate, Father Paul Desrosiers, when I learned that Father Jimmy had died in an accident at his woodworking shop on the grounds of Immaculate Conception Parish in Marrero. I went to the parish that night and led a prayer service. People are really hurting.

How can you make sense of any of this and perhaps help people get through this?

These are two very different situations. Murder or the taking of someone’s life is never God’s will. That's a very serious thing. We are called to mourn and to feel anger and to be outraged and to have whatever other feelings that we have at this point. But we're also called, at some point down the line, to forgive. Jesus said it's not an eye for an eye or a tooth for a tooth, but it’s reconciliation. I’ve already heard some talk about the death penalty for the perpetrator. As Catholics and as Christians, we pray for our enemies. We pray for those who disrespect human life. The manner of Father Otis’ and Ruth’s  deaths allows us to feel a sense of loss, anger and outrage. But at the same time, we have to bring that to the Lord. Some people have asked me where Jesus was when all this was happening? And, I think I know. Jesus was present, and he was crying.

Father Jimmy’s accidental death was also shocking.

It is. He was doing what he loves to do – building furniture and doing woodworking. We don't know exactly what happened, but we do know that the accident took his life. As his family and several parishioners told me, he died doing what he loved to do. But as I talked to people at the prayer service, I told them there was something Father Jimmy loved much more than woodworking, and that was the Lord Jesus and the people of God, not only at Immaculate  Conception but also in all the other parishes where he's served. He also was head of our Pontifical Mission Societies and had a deep heart for the missionary work of the church. He brought that sense of the universal church to everyone he encountered, especially the school children.

It’s apparent how much you are personally hurting, as well.

I am. We know that these two men are examples of what it means to be a dedicated priest. It’s a very personal loss to me and to the family and parishioners of each individual priest as well as to those who loved Ruth Prats. It's a loss to all of us. We must pray for God’s consolation and for his grace to be people of hope in the Risen Christ.

Questions for Archbishop Aymond may be sent to [email protected].