Nigerian Catholic priest convicted of sexually assaulting women he counselled

A Texas jury has found former Catholic priest Anthony Odiong guilty of sexually assaulting two women he counselled spiritually, exposing him to a possible life sentence on the most serious charge.

A Texas jury has convicted former Roman Catholic priest Anthony Odiong of sexually assaulting women to whom he provided spiritual direction, concluding a closely watched trial that centred on allegations he abused his position as a clergyman to pursue sexual relationships with vulnerable parishioners. Odiong, 57, was found guilty of one count of first-degree sexual assault and two counts of second-degree sexual assault involving two women who testified during the trial in Waco. The former priest, who pleaded not guilty, now faces a possible life sentence on the first-degree charge, while sentencing proceedings are scheduled to begin on Monday.

The jury, made up of eight women and four men, deliberated for about two hours before returning its verdict. The case initially included allegations involving a third woman, but prosecutors Ryan Calvert and Liz Buice dropped that aspect after the complainant, described as being in an “extremely emotionally fragile” state, failed to appear in court. Prosecutors said they chose not to compel her testimony because of her “extremely tenuous” emotional condition. According to courtroom accounts, Odiong showed little reaction as Judge Thomas West read the verdict before lowering his head as deputies escorted him from the courtroom.

The prosecution arose from allegations first made public in February 2024 by a group of women who accused Odiong of sexual coercion, unwanted touching and abusive financial control while serving as a Catholic priest in Texas and later Louisiana. One complainant, identified as Mary Doe, testified that Odiong initiated a long-term sexual relationship with her while acting as her spiritual adviser during a difficult divorce and while she was raising seven children. Investigators later identified a second complainant, known as Jane Doe, who alleged similar abuse during the same period. Authorities said additional reports from other women helped establish probable cause for Odiong’s arrest and prosecution despite the age of the allegations.

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