Statement Regarding Rev. Gerald Dvorak

By Tom Halden
Roman Catholic Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis
September 2, 2015

http://www.archspm.org/archspm_news/statement-regarding-rev-gerald-dvorak-2/

Today, Rev. Gerald Dvorak returns to public ministry as the pastor of the Church of Saint Peter in Richfield.

In May of this year, the Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis received an allegation that the Rev. Dvorak, pastor of St. Peter in Richfield, sexually abused a minor in the 1970s. In accordance with Archdiocesan protocols, the allegation was treated as credible pending an investigation. The definition of "credible" in this context means "not manifestly false or frivolous."  The use of the term was neither a presumption nor a determination of guilt.

Law enforcement was notified and authorized the Archdiocese to conduct an investigation of the allegation. Rev. Dvorak took a voluntary leave of absence pending the outcome of that investigation. Upon completion of the Archdiocesan investigation, law enforcement was notified of the results of the investigation and the decision to reinstate Father Dvorak.

The investigation included interviews with Rev. Dvorak and with the complainant. The Archdiocesan Ministerial Review Board (MRB) reviewed this entire matter, including results of the investigation and other information relating to Rev. Dvorak’s 37 years of faithful service to this Archdiocese. The MRB concluded that the allegation is not substantiated and recommended that Rev. Dvorak should be returned to ministry. Judge Tim O’Malley, Director of the Office of Ministerial Standards and Safe Environment, also reviewed this matter and was present for all MRB deliberations. He is in agreement with the MRB’s findings and recommendation.

I support the conclusions of the MRB and Director O’Malley, and so have ordered the reinstatement of Rev. Dvorak to public ministry.

I ask for your prayers and support for all victims of sexual abuse and their families.