Ex-priest indicted for allegedly raping disabled child while ministering in New Orleans

The Guardian - World NewsCenter-LeftEN 4 min read 100% complete by Ramon Antonio Vargas and David Hammer of WWL Louisiana in New OrleansFebruary 5, 2026 at 10:49 PM

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long article 4 min

Mark Francis Ford, a former priest in New Orleans, has been indicted on nine counts, including aggravated rape of a child and kidnapping, for alleged offenses committed between 2006 and 2008. The charges stem from accusations that Ford sexually abused a disabled boy, aged 12-14 at the time, whom he met through a church program he co-founded called "God's Special Children." Ford allegedly befriended the boy while he was grieving family deaths and then exploited that relationship. The victim, who has autism and a spinal condition, reported the abuse to police in November 2024. If convicted, Ford faces a mandatory life sentence.

Key Entities & Roles

Key Player Opposition Context

Ralph Whalen 40% Jason Williams 50% God's Special Children 60% Roman Catholic Church 70% New Orleans ×380% Mark Francis Ford ×790%

Keywords

child rape 90% clergy molestation 80% sexual abuse 70% disabled child 70% roman catholic priest 60% indictment 50% new orleans 50% aggravated rape 40%

Sentiment Analysis

Very Negative

Score: -0.90

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Source

The Guardian - World News

Political Lean

Center-Left (-0.40)

Far LeftCenterFar Right

Classification Confidence

90%

This article was automatically classified using rule-based analysis. The political bias score ranges from -1 (far left) to +1 (far right).

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child rape clergy molestation sexual abuse disabled child roman catholic priest indictment new orleans aggravated rape

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