MINNESOTA
Northlands News Center
St. Paul, MN (NNCNOW.com) — The head of the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis says he is voluntarily stepping down following an allegation that he inappropriately touched an underage male.
Officials with the Archdiocese announced Tuesday that an allegation has been brought by a mandated reporter within the Church to the St. Paul Police of inappropriate touching of a minor male on the buttocks by Archbishop John Nienstedt.
The archbishop will voluntarily step aside from all public ministry while this matter is being investigated. Auxiliary Bishop Lee Piché, in his role as a vicar general, will cover all of the archbishop’s public duties during this time.
In a letter, Archbishop Nienstedt denies the allegation saying “I have never once engaged in any inappropriate contact with a minor and I have tried to the very best of my ability to serve this Archdiocese and the church faithfully, with honor and due regard for the rights of all, even those with whom I disagree.”
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