Archdiocese Responds to Editorial on Archbishop Nienstedt Investigation

By Megan Stewart
KSTP
September 5, 2014

http://kstp.com/news/stories/S3552530.shtml

The Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis is responding to a pointed editorial published by a well-known Catholic news organization Friday.

The editorial staff at the National Catholic Reporter says Archbishop John Nienstedt should release the findings of an investigation into allegations that he engaged in sexual misconduct, including claims that he made unwanted sexual advances toward a former Twin Cities priest, according to a report posted online in June by Commonweal Magazine.

Nienstedt has repeatedly denied the allegations, and he initiated an independent investigation into the allegations.

Editors at National say the law firm Greene Espel finished looking into the claims on July 29 and say delaying the disclosure of information "point(s) to patterns of cover-ups."

"We have completed our work for the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis. We have provided a written report as requested by the archdiocese,” Matthew Forsgren at Greene Espel told 5 EYEWITNESS NEWS on Friday. “Any questions regarding the investigation and report should be directed to the archdiocese."

Friday's editorial also goes on to say the archdiocese has damaged its relationship with the Twin Cities community because it has not been transparent into allegations of abuse, including those involving children, from the start:

An unrelenting and damaging stream of reports have documented cases of clergy sex abuse and the failure of Nienstedt and other chancery personnel to report or discipline clergy suspected of molesting children, leaving countless children at risk. It is clear they spent more time and effort attempting to conceal their negligence than they did being candid with the people of the archdiocese. They failed to uphold the 2002 Dallas Charter for the protection of children, the only yardstick we have to judge church leaders' pledges to keep children safe.

National says only the full disclosure of information into allegations against Nienstedt will be sufficient to start mending the relationship with the public.

However, Auxiliary Bishop Lee Piche, who is in charge of the investigation for the archdiocese, says they cannot release the findings of the probe in question because it has not been completed.

Dr. Charles Reid, a Catholicism expert at the University of St. Thomas, says it's this kind of response that continues to breed mistrust among Catholics.

"He has a world of trust to gain if he released this report, and he is damaging his own credibility by sitting on it," Reid said.

The report was paid for by the Archdiocese, meaning it's at least partly paid for by area Catholics.

"I do think that should be revealed to the larger community, that would seem to make sense," said Father Michael Tegeder, Church of St. Frances Cabrini.

Piche released the following statement in response to the editorial:

“Several months ago, the Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis received claims regarding alleged misbehavior involving Archbishop John Nienstedt. The claims did not involve anything criminal or with minors.

The Archbishop asked me to look into these claims, and the investigation is ongoing. We are still following up with individuals and information, which takes time depending on the availability of individuals and accessibility of information they may have. Any media report that the investigation is complete is inaccurate.

My interest is a thorough investigation with a focus on accuracy. To rush any part of this process would be a disservice to all involved.”