May 13, 2005

Archdiocese sued over priest's alleged behavior

ALASKA
Grand Forks Herald

Associated Press

KODIAK, Alaska - The Anchorage Archdiocese will have 20 days to respond to accusations that it failed to supervise and monitor a former Crookston diocesan priest who allegedly solicited sex from a man in exchange for a job on a church project in Alaska.

The accusations are against the Rev. Robert Bester, who after the allegations came to light a week ago, resigned as priest of Our Lady of Guadelupe Parish in Anchorage and left Alaska. He previously served in Kodiak beginning in 2001, and now is living with friends, an official of the Anchorage archdiocese said.

Bester served in several parishes in the Crookston diocese from 1979 to 1991, as well as being superintendent of schools in Warroad, Minn., and a principal in Red Lake Falls, Minn., during that time.

Bester is accused of soliciting sex last year from Fredrick May in exchange for a job on a church construction project in Anchorage.

Posted by kshaw at May 13, 2005 07:16 AM