Documents Confirm Long-standing Pattern and Practice of the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis’ Handling of Sexual Abuse Cases

Jeff Anderson and Associates
October 28, 2013

http://www.andersonadvocates.com/Posts/News-or-Event/1657/Press-Release-Father-Robert-M-Thurner-Named-In-Sexual-Abuse-Lawsuit.aspx

[Assignment Record – Rev. Robert Michael Thurner - BishopAccountability.org]

WHAT: At a news conference Tuesday in St. Paul, clergy sexual abuse attorneys Jeff Anderson and Mike Finnegan will:

· Announce the filing of a Ramsey County lawsuit naming as defendants Father Robert M. Thurner and the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis on behalf of a woman now in her 30s, Doe 23, who was sexually abused by Fr. Thurner when she was a young girl at St. Joseph’s parish in West St. Paul. The lawsuit alleges that the Archdiocese was negligent in allowing Thurner continued access to children even after Thurner admitted in 1982, to then-Archbishop John Roach, that he sexually abused a 16 year-old boy and purchased alcohol for the boy.

· Reveal internal documents and memos detailing meetings between top Archdiocesan officials and Thurner. Instead of reporting to law enforcement, church officials chose to transfer Thurner to St. Joseph’s where he later abused Doe 23.

· Share information from prior depositions of current St. Louis Archbishop Robert Carlson, Father Thurner and Msgr. John Jerome Boxleitner.

WHEN: Tuesday, October 29, 2013 at 1:00 PM CDT

WHERE: Law Office of Jeff Anderson & Associates

366 Jackson Street

Suite 100

St. Paul, MN 55101

WHO: Sexual Abuse Attorneys Jeff Anderson and Mike Finnegan will release internal documents and memos exchanged by top Archdiocesan officials pertaining to Thurner as well as discuss Doe 23’s recent lawsuit filed in Ramsey County.

Notes:

Information packets and copies of the complaint will be available at the press conference.

Fr. Thurner worked in parishes in St. Paul, Prior Lake, Hopkins, West St. Paul and Bloomington, Minnesota.