MINNESOTA
Fox 9
By: Rose Heaphy
POSTED:MAR 17 2017
(KMSP) – The Pope has granted a former high ranking official with the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis to leave the priesthood.
In 2014, Peter Laird, the former vicar general at the Archdiocese, petitioned to the Vatican for a “request for laicization,” according to a statement from Archbishop Bernard A. Hebda. The Pope recently granted Laird’s request, which means he will no longer be able to return to public ministry.
Laird worked alongside Archbishop John Nienstedt, who resigned in 2015 amidst criminal charges against the Archdiocese for failing to protect children against sexual abuse.
Laird resigned from his position with the Archdiocese and stepped away from priestly ministry in 2013.
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