MICHIGAN
WIN
Wednesday, January 13, 2016 by John McNeill
KALAMAZOO/BATTLE CREEK (WKZO) — A controversial former Archbishop who resigned from his position in St. Paul-Minneapolis after allegations involving sexual abuse by priests has been reassigned to work with the pastor of St. Phillip Roman Catholic Church in Battle Creek.
Archbishop John Nienstedt resigned last June after the local prosecutors filed criminal and civil charges that the church had failed to protect children from clergy sex abuse.
The national director of SNAP, Survivors Network of those abused by Priests, David Clohessy tells WKZO news that there are allegations that Nienstadt himself has sexually exploited seminarians. He was cleared of allegations of abusing a young boy, but his diocese was charged with hiding a predator priest.
Clohessy asks if any other employer would retain an employee with such a work history, and reassign him to a post where he is sure to come into contact with children? He calls it an outrage.
Clohessy says it’s part of a pattern, alleging the church still rigorously protects anyone who wears a collar despite promises of reform.
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