MINNESOTA
MinnPost
By Briana Bierschbach
Archbishop John Nienstedt is stepping aside from his public position as head of the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis while St. Paul Police investigate allegations that he inappropriately touched a boy in 2009.
According to a statement from the archdiocese Tuesday morning, an unspecified church individual who is required to report all abuse allegations told St. Paul police that Nienstedt had been accused of inappropriately touching “a minor male on the buttocks.” The “single incident” took place in 2009 at a group photography session with the archbishop after a confirmation ceremony, according to the release.
Nienstedt “emphatically denies” the allegation but will immediately step aside while it is investigated.
“The archbishop and the archdiocese stand ready to cooperate fully with the St. Paul police,” the release read.
Nienstedt addressed the allegations in a Tuesday letter to parishioners in the archdiocese.
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