MINNESOTA
Pioneer Press
By Emily Gurnon
egurnon@pioneerpress.com
POSTED: 10/04/2013
The Roman Catholic Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis said Thursday the Rev. Peter Laird has resigned as vicar general and moderator of the curia.
In that role, he assisted the archbishop in the general care and administration of the archdiocese.
Laird’s departure came the same day allegations emerged in a court hearing that the archdiocese possessed images of child pornography from the computer of Hugo priest Jonathan Shelley, and 10 days after a Minnesota Public Radio news report about information the archdiocese possessed but did not give to police regarding convicted St. Paul priest Curtis Wehmeyer’s sexual behavior.
“Father Laird’s decision to resign was unexpected and was his decision alone. He did nothing improper,” said James Accurso, spokesman for the archdiocese. “This is an opportunity for a fresh start in leadership.”
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