Archdiocese to Release Names of Abusive Priests

By Mike Durkin
The Fox 9
November 11, 2013

http://www.myfoxtwincities.com/story/23933683/archdiocese-to-release-names-of-abusive-priests


ST. PAUL, Minn. (KMSP) -

Archbishop John Nienstedt said the names of all priests with "substantiated claims against them of committing sexual abuse against minors" will be released once an independent review of Archdiocese files is complete.

The pledge to release a list of names was part of an open letter published Monday regarding Clarence Vavra – a priest removed from the ministry in 2003 after self-reported sexual contact with boys and sexual contact with other adult men.

Vavra sought treatment and was eventually allowed back into active ministry, but was removed again after the clergy review board determined he violated the 2002 Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People.

ARCHBISHOP NIENSTEDT (NOV. 11)

"To demonstrate our commitment to the safety of minors and transparency, we will be disclosing information about priests who are known by us to have Charter violations. Our ability to disclose all names is reliant on the completion of the independent file review that I ordered in early October and communicated in my column in The Catholic Spirit on October 24. However, during the month of November, and upon receipt of permission of the relevant court, the Archdiocese will be disclosing the names, locations and status of priests who are currently living in the Archdiocese, and who we know have substantiated claims against them of committing sexual abuse against minors. All of these men have been removed from ministry."

DEMANDS OF DISCLOSURE

The Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis has been pressured by Catholic clergy, parishioners, outsiders and attorneys to release a list of offending priests.

"The list of 33 priests whom the archdiocese believes have been credibly accused of sexually abusing children must be released," Father Bill Deziel of the Church of St. Peter in North St. Paul wrote in a newsletter last month. "If it is not, it leaves all of us wondering who these men are, and which priests may be threats to our children and young people."

Contact: mike.durkin@foxtv.com