Archbishop John Nienstedt

By Tom Lyden
Fox 9
August 1, 2014

http://www.myfoxtwincities.com/story/26166635/one-on-one-archbishop-john-nienstedt

The Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis has been embroiled in controversy for months, and the man at the helm, Archbishop John Nienstedt -- himself accused of impropriety, is breaking his silence.

In a one-on-one interview with Fox 9's Tom Lyden, Nienstedt made it quite clear he believes he has enough energy, information and experience to be able to lead and represent the Catholic Church in the state's largest metropolitan area. When asked if he believes he has the moral authority, Nienstedt replied, "I do."

"I read all e-mails; it's divided, but I have a lot of support, and I'm grateful for that support," he continued.

Additionally, Nienstedt also told Fox 9 News, and may truly believe, that the worst of the sex scandal is behind him. According to the archbishop, the archdiocese has reviewed the files and performed background checks on more than 3,000 priests -- and beefed up monitoring of priests who have abused.

"We have done work and we are in a better place," he said. "I hope people place their trust in us because I think we deserve it.

Nienstedt did acknowledge that those words have been said before. Five years ago, it was Nienstedt's decision to appoint Father Curtis Wehmeyer as pastor of two St. Paul Churches despite reports that Wehmeyer had cruised bookstores and parks looking for sex. Now, Wehmeyer is in prison after he went on to sexually abuse two boys.

"Three dinners in three years -- it wasn't a special relationship that I would not have with any other priest," Nienstedt said.

Former church cannon lawyer Jennifer Hasselberger has suggested that Nienstedt may have had a romantic interest in Wehmeyer, but he says that's not the case. Meanwhile, he also authorized an internal investigation into the reports that he had inappropriate contact with adult male seminarians. When asked directly if he is gay or homosexual, Nienstedt replied, "No, I'm not."

"But at the same time, I want to say that I am not against gays; I believe that all people are children of God," Nienstedt said.

Now, Nienstedt says the archdiocese has a "victims first" police that involves notifying police of any allegation of sexual abuse. Yet, in the case of Father Jonathan Shelley from 3 years ago, the church hired a private investigator to look at the suspected child pornography on his computer rather than contact law enforcement officials. Meanwhile, the church is considered a mandatory reporter under state law.

"The determination is: We call the police in every instance, and you recognize -- well, there was a certain culture back then," Nienstedt clarified.