By: A. M. Archibong Esq
Someone asked, ” why did Father Anthony Odiong go to jail when the world en were all consenting adults?”
Father Anthony Odiong did not go to prison simply because he broke his vow of celibacy or had sex with adults. Breaking the Catholic Church’s rules is a church matter, not a criminal offense.
The criminal case was about something different. The jury found that he used his position as a priest and spiritual adviser to exploit women who were emotionally dependent on him. Under Texas law, that can make what appears to be “consensual” sex legally invalid because the law recognizes that someone in a position of authority can manipulate or exploit another person’s ability to freely consent.
Think of it this way: the law treats some professional relationships differently because of the imbalance of power and trust. A person cannot use that position to obtain sex from someone who is under their care or emotionally dependent on them.
This principle doesn’t apply only to clergy. Texas law also recognizes similar issues involving other positions of trust, such as:
Mental health professionals and their patients.
Health care providers and their patients.
Correctional officers and inmates.
Juvenile detention staff and juveniles in their custody.
Probation or parole officers and the people they supervise.
Some law enforcement officers and people in custody.
Teachers and certain students.
The issue was not simply that adults had sex. The issue was whether Father Odiong abused his position of trust and authority to obtain sexual acts. The jury concluded beyond a reasonable doubt that he did, which is why he was convicted under Texas law.
