St. Paul Police Says Top Archdiocese Officials Are Not Being Criminally Investigated
By Lindsey Seavert
The St. Paul Police department announced an update into the investigation into the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis, saying Archbishop John Nienstedt and former Vicar General Peter Laird are not being criminally investigated at this time. "Archbishop John Nienstedt and former Vicar General Peter Laird are not the focus of the investigation as we sit here in talk. Does that mean it won't be later on? It does not. What it means they aren't at this moment," said Howie Padilla, St. Paul Police spokesperson. Padilla said his department has not made any arrests or forwarded any cases to the Ramsey County Attorney. He would not comment on any executed search warrants or the number of potential victims who have come forward to police. In late October, St. Paul Police asked these victims to contact authorities. "We have had very courageous folks bravely come forward with their stories. We've asked them to. We told them we would treat them with the utmost respect, do what we could to help them. And hold anybody responsible for criminal activity accountable. We will continue to do that," said Padilla. In October, Nienstedt said he is committed to finding the truth and fixing problems that exist. He emphasized he accepts responsibility for addressing the unfolding clergy sexual abuse crisis and regrets that a growing number of parishioners and priests have "lost confidence" in him. He's been under fire since a whistleblower began raising questions about how archdiocese officials have handled allegations of clergy sexual misconduct. However, he denied any abuse cover-up or illegal actions and repeated the archdiocese's claim that there are no offending priests in active ministry. (Copyright 2013 by KARE. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)
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