Saying Child Sexual Abuse Charge Not Credible, Crookston Diocese Reinstates Priest

By Don Haney
KFGO
December 27, 2017

http://kfgo.com/news/articles/2017/dec/27/saying-child-sexual-abuse-charge-not-credible-crookston-diocese-reinstates-local-priest/

Father Pat Sullivan Photo; Crookston Catholic Diocese

The Crookston Catholic Diocese has reinstated a priest who served parishes in Clay County who was accused of sexual misconduct of a minor.?

Local and federal authorities investigated a claim Father Pat Sullivan engaged in "unpermitted sexual conduct" with a 15-year old boy while serving as a pastor at a church in Red Lake, Minnesota in 2008 but no charges were filed. Sullivan was put on administrative leave from his assignment as pastor of St. Elizabeth and St. Andrews parishes in Dilworth and Hawley when the complaint was made in April of 2016. Sullivan consistantly denied the allegations.?

The decision to reinstate Sullivan was made after the accuser was questioned by attorney's for the diocese and the Crookston Diocese Board of Review for the Protection of Children and Young People then determined the accusation was "not credible." That board is made up of two social workers, a sheriff, a police detective, an attorney, and a diocese priest.