Once-Secret Documents Released on Convicted Minn. Catholic Priest

By Megan Stewart
KSTP
October 28, 2014

http://kstp.com/article/stories/S3602135.shtml?cat=12196

The Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis released the once-secret file of a priest convicted of sexual abuse in the 1980s.

The revealing was part of a settlement of a case that accused Catholic Church leaders in Minnesota of creating a public nuisance by failing to warn parishioners about an abusive priest.

Rev. Gilbert Gustafson pleaded guilty to third-degree criminal sexual conduct in 1983. He was placed on probation for 10 years.

Following the conviction, Gustafson was allowed to remain working in the archdiocese, collecting disability payments. 

Archbishop John Nienstedt's testimony about when he knew about Gustafson contradicts information in letters he exchanged with a parishioner six years ago.
    
Minnesota Public Radio News reports that Nienstedt made a false statement when he testified on April 2 that he learned about the prior conviction of Gustafson "during the last six months."
    
Letters obtained by MPR show that one parishioner wrote to Nienstedt about Gustafson in 2008. The parishioner said Gustafson had been convicted, and was working as a consultant for Twin Cities parishes. Nienstedt wrote back two weeks later.
    
Nienstedt said in a statement he was as accurate as possible in his April deposition and recalled details from the past as best as he could.