MINNESOTA
Fox 9
[with video]
ST. PAUL, Minn. (KMSP) –
In churches and living rooms across the metro, the debate is on over how the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis has handled allegations of sexual abuse by clergy members — but one priest used the power of the pulpit on during Sunday’s sermon.
At Church of the Assumption, the faithful fill the pews every Sunday to hear from their parish priests — and they got an earful this past weekend as the preacher took aim at church leaders over the growing scandal.
During his 6.5-minute homily, Father Stephen O’Gara admitted he’s never gotten along with Archbishop John Nienstedt, and he didn’t pull any punches when it came to the archbishop’s response to allegations of clergy abuse and cover-ups.
“It’s not going to be through e-mails and letters in the ‘Catholic Spirit.’ He needs to stand before us and explain himself,” O’Gara insisted. “Only then will he have the respect called to his office.”
O’Gara went on to say he believes the scandal is about arrogance, and he openly confessed that he feels conflicted about the Church’s state of affairs.
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