Priest Accused Of Sex Abuse Resigns From St. Thomas

CBS Minnesota
September 18, 2014

http://minnesota.cbslocal.com/2014/09/18/priest-accused-of-sex-abuse-resigns-from-st-thomas/

MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) – A priest and full-time faculty member of the University of St. Thomas has announced he will resign from his position in the school’s department of Catholic studies.

The university announced Father Michael Keating’s resignation Thursday morning. He has been with the school since 2005.

“After careful consideration of my current situation in light of my employment options and long-standing goals, I have decided to resign my faculty position with the University of St. Thomas effective immediately,” he said in a statement. “I have greatly enjoyed my time at the university and take with me fond memories of the St. Thomas community.”

Last year, Keating went on a leave of absence after he was sued for alleged sex abuse. A woman filed a report with the Chisago County Sheriff’s Department, claiming that Keating touched her inappropriately when she was 14 or 15 years old.

The statement released by St. Thomas did not mention the suit. Instead, university president Julie Sullivan said she thanked Keating for his years of service.