Reinstatement of Father William Stolzman

By Jennifer Haselberger
Canonical Consultation
April 4, 2015

http://canonicalconsultation.com/blog.html

Earlier this month, the Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis posted the following announcement regarding Father William Stolzman on its website.

Statement Regarding Rev. William Stolzman

Date: Thursday, April 2, 2015

Source: Anne Steffens, Interim Director of Communications

From Archbishop John Nienstedt, Archbishop of Saint Paul and Minneapolis

This weekend, Rev. William Stolzman returned to public ministry as a retired priest who celebrates Masses on a fill-in basis.

In 2008, the Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis received an allegation that Rev. William Stolzman sexually abused a minor in the 1970s while serving in the Diocese of Rapid City, S.D. At the time, law enforcement investigated and did not refer the case for criminal charges. After an investigation by the Archdiocese, the Clergy Review Board reviewed the case and recommended that Rev. Stolzman remain in ministry.

In January 2015, the Archdiocese reopened its investigation of the alleged 1970s abuse and Rev. Stolzman was placed on a leave of absence. He has not exercised priestly ministry during the investigation. The recent investigation did not uncover any additional information that was not known to the Clergy Review Board in 2008 that would support the allegation of abuse. Therefore, I have decided to reinstate his faculties and permit Rev. Stolzman to resume public ministry.

The wording of the announcement suggests that the Archdiocese was either unable to locate the alleged victim or he declined to participate in the investigation. For my previous post on this matter, please click here.