Hearing postponed...

By Jennifer Haselberger
Canonical Consultation
July 15, 2015

http://canonicalconsultation.com/blog.html

Yesterday, MPR reported that the first hearing in the criminal case against the Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis had been postponed. The hearing, which was originally scheduled for this Friday, has now been rescheduled for August 25.

No reason was given for the delay, and so many will likely feel frustrated that the case will apparently drag on. However, the postponement could be a good thing, if in the intervening time the Archdiocese is able to reach some sort of agreement with prosecutors. In my opinion, an ideal solution may be for the Archdiocese to agree to the relief sought in the civil petition in exchange for a lessening of the charges in the criminal case. 

I realize that for many, this would not be an acceptable option. I know that many of you would like to see the Archdiocese taken to task for its myriad failures in relation to Curtis Wehmeyer. But, it may prove in the best interests of the public and the victims for some sort of accommodation to be reached without a lengthy and potentially expensive trial. 

At any rate, we are unlikely to hear more until the August hearing date approaches.