Emails Reveal Saints' Role in Catholic Church Abuse Scandal Response

Leaked documents show NFL and NBA team officials coordinated with the New Orleans Archdiocese to manage fallout from clergy abuse allegations.

Over 700 pages of emails reveal how New Orleans Saints and Pelicans executives assisted the Catholic Church in shaping media narratives about its clergy abuse scandal.
Saints communications VP Greg Bensel reportedly claimed a conversation with the district attorney allowed some clergy names to be omitted from the church's 2018 abuse list, a claim denied by all parties involved.
The emails show Saints officials, including team president Dennis Lauscha, actively strategized with the Archdiocese, providing media talking points and crisis communication support.
Team owner Gayle Benson, a devout Catholic, supported her executives' involvement, which included lobbying local media to portray Archbishop Gregory Aymond in a positive light.
The revelations have intensified scrutiny of the Saints' actions and raised broader questions about the intersection of sports organizations and religious institutions in handling abuse allegations.