Former Twin Cities Archbishop Tried to Limit Probe

KSTP
June 19, 2015

http://kstp.com/news/stories/S3830974.shtml

Auxiliary Bishop Andrew Cozzens announces the resignations of Archbishop John Nienstedt and Auxiliary Bishop Lee Anthony Piche during a news conference at the Archdiocese of Saint Paul & Minneapolis Chancery in St. Paul Minn., Monday, June 15, 2015.

A report says the former archbishop of St. Paul and Minneapolis, John Nienstedt, interfered with an investigation by an outside law firm into allegations of his misconduct.



Nienstedt authorized the probe in hopes of clearing his name. But Minnesota Public Radio reports the results threatened to ruin it. MPR interviewed several people with direct knowledge of the inquiry.



Several of Nienstedt's top advisers gathered privately in April 2014 to discuss allegations of inappropriate behavior, including sexual advances toward priests. Each adviser agreed he should resign.



A few days later, two auxiliary bishops traveled to Washington to tell the papal ambassador. Soon afterward, the investigation was narrowed to allegations of crimes and grave sins.



Nienstedt resigned this week amid criminal charges against the archdiocese. He has denied interfering.