Minn. Priest Removed from Ministry after Abuse Allegation

By Jennie Lissarrague
KSTP
September 2, 2015

http://kstp.com/article/stories/s3895729.shtml

A priest who served in multiple cities throughout the state is being removed from ministry.

The Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis announced Wednesday that Rev. Joseph Gallatin was removed from ministry after he was accused of sexually abusing a minor.

The case has been referred to Rome for a final resolution.

The allegation was first received by the Archdiocese in 1998. Three review boards considered the matter, and each time they decided that there wasn’t enough evidence to support that his actions constituted as sexual abuse of a minor.

In 2014, a board recommended restrictions be put on his ministry.

Since 2014, more people involved in that 1998 incident have come forward with information, leading to more restrictions being placed on Gallatin’s ministry.

The Ministerial Review Board reviewed the matter and decided that there was enough evidence to support the allegation, the Archdiocese said. The board recommended that Gallatin’s case be referred to Rome for adjudication.

It’s not clear how long it will take for a final resolution to be made.

Until then, Gallatin is prohibited from celebrating Mass in the presence of laity, hearing confessions, preaching, helping at weddings or funerals or engaging in any other type of priestly ministry.

Gallatin has denied the allegation.

Here is Rev. Gallatin’s assignment history, according to the Archdiocese:

July 1, 2014, to Sept. 1, 2015
Chancery Staff

July 15, 2008, to June 26, 2014
Pastor, St. Peter, Mendota

July 15, 2003, to July 15, 2008
Pastor, St. Boniface, St. Bonifacius

July 15, 2003, to July 15, 2008
Pastor, St. Mary, Delano

Sept. 9, 1998, to July 15, 2003
Assistant Priest, St. Bernard, St. Paul

June 18, 1997, to Sept. 8, 1998
Assistant Priest, Saint Hubert, Chanhassen

Meanwhile, a Richfield priest has been allowed to return to public ministry after the Archdiocesan Ministerial Review Board determined that an abuse allegation against him was not substantiated.

Rev. Gerald Dvorak is the pastor of the Church of Saint Peter in Richfield. He took a voluntary leave of absence back in May after the Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis received an allegation the he sexually abused a minor in the 1970s.