St. Louis County Attorney: No Charges against Former Priest

By News Tribune
Duluth News Tribune
January 2, 2014

http://www.duluthnewstribune.com/event/article/id/287676/group/News/

St. Louis County Attorney Mark Rubin called the diocese’s initial decision to launch a private investigation rather than contacting authorities “unacceptable.”

No charges will be brought against a former Chisholm priest who was being investigated on child sex abuse allegations, St. Louis County Attorney Mark Rubin announced today.

Rubin had been investigating the Rev. Cornelius Kelleher, a retired priest who has been removed from ministry, for possible criminal charges after the Diocese of Duluth revealed in October that the priest had been removed from the ministry after abuse accusations.

While there may have been enough evidence to bring charges, the statute of limitations of three years for the disclosure has passed, Rubin said. Two other alleged victims of Kelleher also came forward during the investigation, Rubin said.

Rubin called the diocese’s initial decision to launch a private investigation rather than contacting authorities “unacceptable.” He said he has met with diocese officials to ensure that any future allegations are brought to investigators.

On Tuesday, Duluth Bishop Paul Sirba revealed a list of former diocesan priests who have been “credibly accused” of sexual misconduct of children. Sirba said the diocese wants to be open about priest sex abuse cases, and encouraged anyone who has been abused to contact civil authorities.