LAFAYETTE, La.-The Lafayette Diocese severed all its connections with child molester Gilbert Gauthe when the former priest was released from prison, Bishop Edward O‘Donnell of Lafayette said Jan. 7. He denied reports that Gauthe was receiving a retirement pension from the diocese. The diocese bought out its pension obligation to Gauthe with a lump-sum settlement, he said. Bishop O‘Donnell issued a statement after Gauthe-freed on parole and living in eastern Texas- came back into the news over charges he molested a 3-year-old boy in Livingston, Texas, in July 1996. He received seven years’ probation after pleading no contest to a lesser charge of injury to a child.