The Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis today announced that an allegation has been brought by a mandated reporter within the Church to the St. Paul Police of inappropriate touching of a minor male on the buttocks by Archbishop John Nienstedt. The single incident is alleged to have occurred in 2009 during a group photography session with the archbishop following a confirmation ceremony. Archbishop Nienstedt emphatically denies the allegation. Upon learning of the allegation last week, the archdiocese instructed the mandated reporter to make the matter known to the police. The archbishop and the archdiocese stand ready to cooperate fully with the St. Paul Police.
The Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis said it will disclose the names of priests currently living in the archdiocese who have substantiated claims against them of committing sexual abuse against minors.
Today [Nov. 5], the Minneapolis StarTribune published an article regarding the Minnesota Religious Council (MRC). As you may know, the MRC is a coalition of Minnesota churches from several denominations, led by a Lutheran pastor, that has worked together for common causes since the early 1990s.
Father Andrew Cozzens, an assistant professor of sacramental theology at the St. Paul Seminary, has been named by Pope Francis as an auxiliary bishop of St. Paul and Minneapolis.
The CCCR is not supported or endorsed by this archdiocese, the Roman Catholic Church, or any entity or organization affiliated with either this archdiocese or the Church.
The Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis deeply regrets the harm Curtis Wehmeyer caused his two young victims, their family and others in our community. We did act swiftly when the allegations of sexual abuse of a minor by Wehmeyer were made in June 2012. In hindsight and in light of what we now know, we also recognize that our handling of past concerns could have been better addressed.
