Arkansas man sues Diocese over alleged 1970s abuse

Lawsuit claims priest and school staff sexually abused him as a child

Feb. 3, 2026 at 6:23pm

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

An Arkansas man has filed a lawsuit against the Diocese of Little Rock, alleging that a priest at Our Lady of the Holy Souls church and school molested him in the 1970s, and that the Diocese and school administration failed to stop the abuse.

Why it matters

This lawsuit is part of a larger trend of survivors of clergy abuse coming forward to seek accountability from religious institutions that failed to protect them. It raises questions about the Diocese's handling of abuse allegations and the lasting trauma experienced by victims.

The details

The lawsuit alleges that the unnamed plaintiff was sexually abused by a priest at the church and school in the 1970s. The complaint claims the Diocese and school administration were aware of the abuse but did nothing to stop it or protect the victim.

  • The alleged abuse occurred in the 1970s at the Our Lady of the Holy Souls church and school.

The players

Diocese of Little Rock

The Catholic diocese that oversees churches and schools in the Little Rock area, including the Our Lady of the Holy Souls church and school where the alleged abuse took place.

Our Lady of the Holy Souls church and school

The church and school where the alleged abuse by a priest occurred in the 1970s.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What’s next

The lawsuit is currently in the early stages, and it remains to be seen how the Diocese will respond to the allegations.

The takeaway

This case highlights the ongoing need for religious institutions to be held accountable for failing to protect children from abuse, and the lasting trauma experienced by survivors who come forward years later.