MINNESOTA
MinnPost
By Brian Lambert
Here at MinnPost, Briana Bierschbach covers the announcement of Archbishop John Nienstedt temporarily stepping down after being accused of inappropriate contact with a minor.
Elsewhere … For The National Catholic Reporter, Brian Roewe says: “Upon consulting with Carlo Maria Viganò, the apostolic nuncio to the United States, Nienstedt decided to step down from public ministry effective immediately while the investigation is ongoing, according to the archdiocese. … Nienstedt explained in the letter his typical procedure for photo shoots like the one in question, saying he normally stands with one hand on his crozier, or staff, and the other on the right shoulder of the newly confirmed or on his pallium. ‘I do that deliberately and there are hundreds of photographs to verify that fact,’ he wrote. While the investigation plays out, Nienstedt said he will use the time to pray for Twin Cities Catholics and the accuser and asked for Catholics to pray for him.”
At MPR, Tom Scheck, Laura Yuen and Mike Cronin add: “One of Nienstedt’s fiercest critics says he hopes the investigation is resolved quickly. ‘I feel very sorry for the archbishop. I hope this is just a misunderstanding or some misinterpretation. It’s certainly very sad for him,’ said the Rev. Michael Tegeder, pastor of St. Frances Cabrini church in Minneapolis. Tegeder said clergy routinely interact with parishioners at Confirmation and First Communion events. He said the interaction could have been in the spirit of a football celebration, in which players congratulate each other. Tegeder said he’s still pushing for Nienstedt to step down, regardless of the police investigation. Tegeder said he’s troubled by the way the archbishop has handled the clergy sex abuse crisis, his stance on the recent marriage amendment battle and some of his financial decisions, Tegeder said. ‘That’s the reason I would still hope he could step down and also just for his own good’, he said.” Conventional wisdom would suggest this “stepping down” will more than temporary.
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