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Ray Mouton, Lawyer Who Exposed Church Abuse, Dies at 78

2/12/2026

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Summary

Story summary

Ray Mouton, a Louisiana lawyer, died on February 5 at age 78 from lung and throat cancer.
He gained notoriety for defending a priest charged with multiple counts of child sexual abuse in 1984.
Mouton warned Catholic bishops about widespread pedophilia in the church, but his concerns were ignored.
His case drew national attention and investigations, including The Boston Globe's 2002 coverage, which exposed clergy abuse and cover-ups.

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Story summary

Ray Mouton, a Louisiana lawyer, died on February 5 at age 78 from lung and throat cancer.
He gained notoriety for defending a priest charged with multiple counts of child sexual abuse in 1984.
Mouton warned Catholic bishops about widespread pedophilia in the church, but his concerns were ignored.
His case drew national attention and investigations, including The Boston Globe's 2002 coverage, which exposed clergy abuse and cover-ups.