September 02, 2005

Parishioner speaks of once-beloved priest, now a 'filthy man'

MINNEAPOLIS
Star Tribune

Margaret Zack, Star Tribune
September 2, 2005

The parish priest had been a very charismatic, strong spiritual person in whom she could confide.

But that was before he broke that trust by sexually abusing her, prompting her to call him a "filthy man."

The woman was one of several victims and their family members who spoke in court Thursday as the Rev. John Bussmann was sentenced for sexually abusing two female parishioners and stealing from another.

"This was a priest who was supposed to help you with problems, not create them," the woman's husband said in court. "My wife had become a stranger to me."

Hennepin County District Judge Diana Eagon sentenced Bussmann to five years and eight months in prison.

After he is released, he must register as a sex offender and be on probation for 10 years.

Posted by kshaw at September 2, 2005 08:39 AM