MINNESOTA
Shakopee Valley News
By Lori Carlson editor@plamerican.com
Former Catholic priests at churches in Prior Lake, Spring Lake, Cedar Lake, New Prague and Shakopee are among those named on a list of clergy accused of sexually abusing minors.
The Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis on Thursday released the list of 29 priests with credible claims against them.
The archdiocese and Archbishop John Nienstedt have come under fire in recent months for their handling of sexual misconduct cases. Included in the list are clergy members from other dioceses or religious orders who at one time worked in the archdiocese and were accused of engaging in sexual abuse of minors.
According to the archdiocese, there is “reliable and sufficient information” to substantiate the sexual abuse claims against the men on the list.
In a statement on the archdiocese’s website, Nienstedt wrote: “My staff and I are completely committed to combating the problem of sexual abuse and doing all we can to ensure that these horrors are never repeated in the church. To that end, as I have been communicating to you over the last two months, we are evaluating and improving our policies and practices in our concerted effort to protect children and prevent sexual abuse.”
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