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Image: Coat of arms of Bishop James F. Checchio; via Wikipedia.
Pope Leo XIV has appointed Bishop James Checchio of Metuchen, New Jersey, as coadjutor bishop of New Orleans, placing him in line to automatically succeed Archbishop Gregory M. Aymond. The announcement came just two weeks after the Archdiocese of New Orleans agreed to a $230 million proposed settlement for survivors of clergy sexual abuse, The Hill reported today.
At a news conference announcing his appointment, Checchio was immediately confronted with questions regarding the scandal that has engulfed the archdiocese and his predecessor’s handling of it. Checchio stated he was willing in principle to investigate Aymond but saw “no reason” to do so, adding, “I don’t have any idea — I don’t have any knowledge of any of that yet.”
Archbishop Aymond, 75, has faced growing scrutiny over the church’s failure to act decisively on clergy abuse allegations. These failures sparked both a Louisiana State Police investigation and a broader FBI probe into the New Orleans archdiocese. A previous Associated Press investigation revealed that Aymond had enlisted the help of New Orleans Saints executives to assist with behind-the-scenes crisis management.
Survivors’ groups and attorneys have accused Aymond of failing to publicly disclose abusive clergy and of actively seeking to suppress internal knowledge of abuse. A plaintiff’s attorney criticized Checchio’s response at the press conference, saying he was either “ill-prepared for his new job, or he was less than truthful.”
Aymond has denied mishandling abuse claims and expressed regret over the time it took to reach a resolution. “It’s not fair to anybody, it’s certainly not fair to survivors,” he told the Associated Press. During the same press conference, Aymond asserted that only one new case of abuse occurred during his 16-year tenure and insisted that clergy abuse in New Orleans is now in the past.
Some advocates remain skeptical that Checchio will hold Aymond accountable. Terence McKiernan of BishopAccountability.org questioned whether an incoming archbishop with close ties to Rome would initiate an investigation. His co-director, Anne Barrett Doyle, noted Checchio’s silence during the scandal involving his own predecessor, former Cardinal Theodore McCarrick, who was accused of sexually abusing seminarians and minors. She said that Checchio would have known about a settlement involving one of McCarrick’s adult victims.
The New Orleans Archdiocese reached the $230 million proposed bankruptcy settlement on September 8 after facing more than 500 sexual abuse claims. An earlier offer of $179.2 million was rejected by survivors’ attorneys. Survivors have until late October to vote on the revised deal, which must be approved by two-thirds of claimants. If accepted, payments could begin next year.
The archdiocese filed for bankruptcy in May 2020, a move survivors argue shielded church leaders from facing difficult questions in court. Aymond has pledged to participate in public forums and continue his role until the bankruptcy and pastoral responsibilities are finalized. He submitted his resignation after turning 75, as required, but remains in office pending Vatican decisions.
Checchio expressed appreciation for his time in Metuchen and said he would work closely with law enforcement in New Orleans. He emphasized his commitment to child safety, stating, “Everything I can do to make sure our children are safe, I will.”
