MINNESOTA
BishopAccountability.org
Summary of Case: Thurner admitted to archdiocesan officials in 1982 to having “sexual contact” with a boy. He was allowed to remain pastor of a Minnesota parish until six months later, when an allegation surfaced that he had sexually abused another boy. Thurner went on to serve at three more parishes. He abruptly retired in Dec. 1991, just before a lawsuit was filed by the person he admitted to abusing. In 1993 Thurner was accused in another lawsuit of the sexual abuse of a boy from 1972-1977, beginning when the boy was 16 years-old. Thurner admitted to “sexual contact” with this accuser as well. Thurner is said to have plied his victims with pornography and alcohol.
Ordained: 1951
Incardinated: St. Paul
Retired: Dec. 1991
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