GUEYDAN PRIEST TO GET TREATMENT FOR DRUG PROBLEM

GUEYDAN - Residents of this tiny farming community said Saturday the
removal of a Catholic priest for alleged illicit drug use came as a
surprise, but not a shock.

Not much goes unnoticed in a town with a population of less than 2,000, and
neighbors and parishioners became increasingly troubled by the activity
around the Catholic rectory. It is a large, two-story clapboard house at
603 Main St. that sits next to St. Peter's Catholic Church in Gueydan.

Following up on tips of suspicious activity from concerned citizens,
Vermilion Parish Sheriff's deputies questioned the Rev. Grady Estilette
about drug use in and near the rectory.

Estilette admitted he uses drugs to deputies, according to Jody Meaux with
the Sheriff's Office.

The Monsignor Fred Swenson, vicar of the Diocese of Lafayette that
en-compasses Vermilion and Acadia parishes, performed Mass at the church
Saturday afternoon, where he informed the congregation that Estilette, 66,
was being sent to a treatment center at an unspecified location in Minnesota.

Church officials are in-vestigating the possibility Estilette's drug usage
started after he began counseling an addict. Swenson wouldn't reveal which
drug or drugs Estilette became dependent on.

"It's a drug problem," Swenson said. "He's been placed on sick leave to get
his physical and mental health together."

Swenson said he will officially run the parish, but will appoint a priest
to serve as in the interim.

Estilette's leave is open-ended, and the priest might retire.

St. Peter's CCD Director Christine Campbell, who has worked with Estilette
for the 14 years he has served in Gueydan, said most people in the
community are relieved the priest will get help.

"People were just afraid for his safety," Campbell said. "If I had to sum
it up, he was a great boss and a good friend."

Effie Broussard, Estilette's secretary, said the priest was known as a good
administrator, was devoted to St. Peter's Elementary School and often used
his own money for charitable purposes.

"We're not ashamed of him," said parishioner Joyce Moss. "He was compassionate."