Priest accused of abuse wasn’t on archdiocese list

MINNESOTA
Marshall Independent

December 19, 2013

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) — When the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis released of a list of priests accused of sexually abusing minors, it prompted complaints from victims’ groups that it was incomplete.

Harry Walsh wasn’t on the list of 30 priests. But church documents obtained by Minnesota Public Radio (http://bit.ly/1fImo8k ) show he’d been accused of molesting a 15-year-old girl and 12-year-old altar boy decades earlier. The archdiocese contributed to a financial settlement for the girl. Nonetheless, two archbishops allowed him to continue working in parishes until the fall of 2011.

Walsh tells MPR he never abused children.

Archbishop John Nienstedt asked Pope Benedict last year to defrock Walsh when he learned of the abuse allegations, and Walsh agreed to leave.

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