From Bishop Andrew Cozzens, Auxiliary Bishop of Saint Paul and Minneapolis
Today, our Holy Father, Pope Francis, announced the resignation of Archbishop John Nienstedt and Auxiliary Bishop Lee Piche from the pastoral care of the Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis. At the same time, our Holy Father appointed Archbishop Bernard Hebda, currently the Coadjutor Archbishop of the Archdiocese of Newark, New Jersey, as the Apostolic Administrator of the Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis.
As Apostolic Administrator, Archbishop Hebda serves as the official leader of the Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis until such time as a permanent archbishop can be appointed. He retains his duties as Coadjutor Archbishop of Newark and I will remain as auxiliary bishop.
This has been a painful process. A change in leadership provides us an opportunity for greater healing and the ability to move forward. We will continue to do all we can to create safe environments for all children and to bring just resolution to the claims against the Archdiocese. I ask your prayers for the healing of our Archdiocese and most especially for the healing of all victim/survivors of clergy sexual abuse.
I know that you have a lot of questions and I have to ask for your patience. There will be many unanswered questions as we take this significant transitional step to new leadership. I pledge personally that Archbishop Hebda and I will work closely to bring our Archdiocese into a new day, so that the work of proclaiming the Gospel of Jesus Christ which we have done here for almost 165 years may continue.
Read a statement from Archbishop Nienstedt regarding the future of the Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis.
Read a statement from Bishop Piché regarding the future of the Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis.
Read a letter from Archbishop Hebda, Apostolic Administrator of the Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis
