From Archbishop Bernard A. Hebda
As part of the July 19, 2016, Amendment to the Settlement Agreement with the Ramsey County Attorney’s Office, the Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis agreed to not “enter into confidentiality agreements regarding allegations of sexual abuse of minors unless requested by the victim and noted in the text of the agreement”. In addition, the Archdiocese agreed to release “any victim of alleged sexual abuse from any confidentiality obligation that may exist in any settlement agreement [previously] entered into with the Archdiocese”.
My hope is that, in some way, these provisions will reflect our ongoing commitment to transparency concerning our failings and our desire to be helpful to those who may have been harmed and sensitive to their needs.
