Statement from Judge O’malley on Civil and Criminal Charges Filed against Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis

Roman Catholic Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis
June 5, 2015

http://www.archspm.org/archspm_news/june-5-statement-1/

I want to offer a few comments about the criminal and civil charges filed today.

We have the utmost respect for Ramsey County Attorney John Choi, his office, and the St. Paul Police Department, its investigators and Chief Tom Smith. Importantly, we equally respect the civil and criminal law processes here in Minnesota.

We all share the goal of protecting children. To that end, the Archdiocese will continue to work with the St. Paul Police Department and the Ramsey County Attorney’s Office, as well as our private and public sector partners, to accomplish that goal. We share County Attorney Choi’s and Chief Smith’s commitment to prevent the kind of harm caused in the Wehmeyer case from ever happening again.

As County Attorney Choi noted, facts must lead the way. Truth is in the details. We join Chief Smith in thanking those who have courageously come forward to help find that truth and, in turn, protect children. We also join the County Attorney and the Chief in encouraging anyone with information to contact the St. Paul Police Department. The more complete the information, the more likely justice will be served.

Because this is an ongoing investigation and we do not want to interfere with it, we cannot make any other comments at this time.