MINNESOTA
Canonical Consultation
01/02/2016
Jennifer Haselberger
It was in July of 2014 that Commonweal Magazine broke the story that Archbishop John Nienstedt had authorized an investigation into his own conduct as a result of complaints received from priests, former priests, and seminarians. That investigation was entrusted to, and then removed from, a team of attorneys from the Greene Espel law firm in Minneapolis. While the results of the investigation have never been made public, what is known is that at least one matter under investigation was the emeritus Archbishop’s relationship with Curtis Wehmeyer, a former priest of the Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis currently serving prison sentence for sexually abusing minors.
The scandalous nature of the investigation’s findings can be deduced by how strenuously the Archdiocese has fought to keep those findings secret- even from the prosecutors who have charged the Archdiocese criminally. Priests, lay people, and the general public have all called upon the Archdiocese to release the report, but even after Nienstedt’s resignation no action has been taken. Instead the Archdiocese has demurred, indicating that releasing the report would only embarrass the Church, those who made complaints, and would serve no purpose but to ‘out’ Archbishop Nienstedt.
However, now there may be a more pressing reason to release the report. Rumors are flying that at long last Nienstedt will be moving out of the Summit Avenue Residence (likely in preparation for the sale of the building), and taking up residence at a rectory somewhere in the Archdiocese. This could put the Archbishop in close proximity to priests, seminarians, and parish staff, not to mention school children and minors affiliated with the hosting parish or neighborhood. Given the concerns that have been raised about his conduct (including his conduct towards minor males while on World Youth Day trips), disclosures regarding the risks associated with his residency seem to be necessary.
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