Former Le Sueur Pastor on New List of Priests Accused of Sexually Abusing Minors

By Suzy Rook
Le Sueur News-Herald
February 17, 2014

http://www.southernminn.com/le_sueur_news_herald/news/article_0d87c499-a08c-53c1-b03a-5917d8fca483.html

Basilica of St. Mary, Minneapolis

Included on a list of nine priests "credibly accused" of sexually abusing minors released Monday by the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis is a former Le Sueur pastor.

According to the diocese's statement, Harold Walsh, 79, served as pastor of St. Anne's Catholic Church from 1975-79.

Walsh, who now resides in Monticello, was ordained in 1960. He took a leave of absence in 1991 and retired a decade later. He was removed from the ministry in 2005, according to the diocese.

Monday's release is in addition to a December listing of 34 priests who have been credibly accused of sexually abusing minors.

All but one of the nine cases occurred anywhere from 25 to 50 years ago and all priests listed have been removed from the ministry. Three of the nine are deceased, according the statement.

"We made a public commitment to prudent and ongoing disclosure of substantiated claims," archdiocese spokesman Jim Accurso told the Associated Press. "Today's disclosure is part of keeping that promise."

Despite the release, the archdiocese is working to stay a Ramsey County judge's order that it release the names of all priests accused of sexually abusing minors since 2004 and a requirement that Bishop John Nienstedt and two priests testify under oath.

The judge set a Tuesday deadline for the release of the list of those accused under seal.