The Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis has contracted with Kinsale Management Consulting (Kinsale) to lead a national search for a director of the newly established Office of Ministerial Standards and Safe Environment. The creation of this new position was … Continue reading

Today, it was brought to our attention that Jennifer Haselberger, former Chancellor of Canonical Affairs for the Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis, provided an affidavit in the case of Doe 1, which is a civil lawsuit against the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis, the Diocese of Winona, and Thomas Adamson. Continue reading

Joseph Wajda is included in the John Jay list, which is posted on our website. We offer our assurances that today we handle things differently regarding priests who have been accused of sexually abusing children. Continue reading

From Archbishop John Nienstedt: Upon my direction, the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis is conducting an internal investigation involving allegations made against me. Continue reading

Several months ago, the Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis received claims regarding alleged misbehavior involving Archbishop John Nienstedt. The claims did not involve anything criminal or with minors. Continue reading

The Catholic Spirit garnered three first-place awards, two second places, a third place and a cluster of honorable mentions in the annual newspaper competition of the Catholic Press Association of the United States and Canada. The awards were presented June … Continue reading

From Bishop Andrew H Cozzens At the request of the Clergy Review Board, Archbishop John C. Nienstedt has temporarily removed Deacon Joseph Damiani from ministry while an investigation is reopened regarding a previous allegation of a sexual abuse of a minor.  Deacon Damiani has … Continue reading

From Archbishop John C. Nienstedt, Archbishop of Saint Paul and Minneapolis At the recommendation of the Clergy Review Board and the Episcopal Vicar for Ministerial Standards, Very Rev. Reginald Whitt, O.P., I am placing restrictions on the ministry of Rev. … Continue reading

Updated October 2014 As part of our ongoing commitment to address sexual misconduct in Church ministry, the Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis today released the names and assignment history information of three priests and two religious brothers against who … Continue reading

From Auxiliary Bishop Andrew H. Cozzens Francis Hoefgen was charged today with first degree criminal sexual conduct in Dakota County Court. Court documents indicate the reported abuse occurred from the spring of 1989 to the fall of 1991. Hoefgen is … Continue reading

In today’s deposition, Fr. Kevin McDonough responded to questions about his involvement with the archdiocese’s handling of matters involving allegations of clergy sexual abuse while he served as Vicar General between 1991 and 2008, and Delegate for Safe Environment from … Continue reading

This past weekend, Father David Barrett returned to public ministry at Masses at the parish of St. Wenceslaus in New Prague after a five-month leave of absence related to past sexual misconduct. Father Barrett’s return to ministry as an assistant … Continue reading

The Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis is grateful that the Safe Environment and Ministerial Standards Task Force (Task Force) has submitted its Report and Recommendations to Protect Children from Clergy Sexual Abuse to the archdiocese. The Task Force recommendations … Continue reading

Report and Recommendations to Protect Children from Clergy Sexual Abuse The Safe Environment and Ministerial Standards Task Force believes that implementation of the recommendations found in our Report and Recommendations to Protect Children from Clergy Sexual Abuse will improve the … Continue reading

On Receipt of the Safe Environment and Ministerial Standards Task Force Report and Recommendations I have received the Safe Environment and Ministerial Standards Task Force Report and Recommendations. I am now studying the document for the purpose of developing practicable … Continue reading

In his deposition, Archbishop John Nienstedt repeatedly stated that the safety of children is the archdiocese’s highest priority. He responded to questions about the tragedy of sexual abuse by clergy, and how the Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis handled … Continue reading

Today, the Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis provided clergy file documents in a Ramsey County District Court civil case. This release is the first of several that will happen in the coming weeks, and pertains to four men who … Continue reading

The Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis is pleased with the outcome of today’s hearing before Ramsey County District Court Judge John Van de North in the Doe 1 case. We look forward to working with the Court, the opposing … Continue reading

The Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis looks forward to working with the Court, the opposing parties and the special master in complying with today’s ruling by Ramsey County District Court Judge John Van de North in the Doe 1 … Continue reading

The Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis appreciates today’s announcement by the Ramsey County Attorney’s Office that they have declined to file charges against Archbishop Nienstedt. As a result of today’s announcement, the archbishop will now resume all of his … Continue reading