MINNESOTA
Star Tribune
Article by: JEAN HOPFENSPERGER , Star Tribune Updated: October 23, 2014
The latest list brings to 55 the number of priests credibly accused of abuse while serving the archdiocese.
The names of 17 more priests identified as child sex abusers were released Thursday, a sign of the new transparency created by the historic clergy abuse settlement announced last week between the Archdiocese of St. Paul-Minneapolis and victims’ advocates.
The priests served in 84 parishes in Minnesota, including 56 in the archdiocese. Nine priests were accused of misconduct while working in the Twin Cities archdiocese, bringing to 55 now its list of “credibly accused” offenders.
For church officials and victims’ attorney Jeff Anderson, the joint release of information illustrates the impact of the settlement, which has both parties working together to release priest names and files.
“This is the first significant disclosure of information that arose from the settlement,” said Anderson. “It’s a very hopeful sign.”
Archbishop John Nienstedt, in a written statement, said he was “profoundly saddened” by the harm the abuse caused the victims and their families.
“Ten of these 17 men are deceased,” he wrote, “but the pain they caused is very much alive.”
Note: This is an Abuse Tracker excerpt. Click the title to view the full text of the original article. If the original article is no longer available, see our News Archive.