From Tim O’Malley, Director of Ministerial Standards and Safe Environment

A recently published report compiling allegations against Davis Haas is disturbing. We affirm and emphasize the importance of courageous survivors of abuse telling their story publicly. History has shown that confronting sexual abuse leads to a better future and promotes justice. Hopefully, that proves to be the case here.

As part of the Archdiocese’s 2015 agreement with the Ramsey County Attorney’s Office, the Archdiocese has put in place a professional team and strict practices to address allegations of sexual misconduct involving Archdiocesan clergy, employees, or volunteers. In 2018, the Archdiocese received reports that David Haas, who resides in this Archdiocese, allegedly made sexual advances on two young, adult women at a church-affiliated event in another state. Even though this report did not involve conduct that occurred in this Archdiocese and even though Haas was not an employee of the Archdiocese, members of the Archdiocesan Office of Ministerial Standards and Safe Environment team reached out to both women, interviewed them regarding the events and offered assistance. The reports did not allege criminal conduct, violence or maltreatment of minors. Nevertheless, after giving Haas the opportunity to address the reports, the Archdiocese informed Haas that he was not allowed to provide services at Catholic institutions in the Archdiocese without disclosure of these complaints to those institutions.

In early 2020, upon receiving additional reports alleging that Haas engaged in inappropriate conduct with other women, the Archdiocese advised Haas that he could not give presentations at workshops, concerts, or similar events hosted by the Archdiocese, parishes, Catholic schools, or other Catholic institutions in the Archdiocese. Likewise, the Archdiocese determined it would not use Haas’ compositions at Archdiocesan Masses and other Archdiocesan events.

Very recently, through a public report issued by a private organization, the Archdiocese learned of additional allegations, including criminal conduct involving minors. In particular, there is a report of sexual abuse involving a 13-year old in 1979. We are unaware of the details of that allegation. Professional investigators, all former law enforcement personnel, have conducted a review of Archdiocesan records, and their review has not surfaced any such report. However, we have contacted law enforcement and advised them of the allegation so that they can conduct an appropriate investigation. We will continue to assist law enforcement in any way we can.

We encourage anyone with information regarding possible criminal behavior to report that to the police right away. A list of law enforcement contact numbers is listed on the Archdiocese website. In addition, anyone affected by sexual misconduct associated with this Archdiocese can contact Archdiocesan Ombudsperson Victoria Johnson (612-990-0022, victorianewcomejohnson@gmail.com), call the Canvas Health hotline (651-291-4497) for help or call the team at the Office of Ministerial Standards and Safe Environment for assistance (651-291-4400). My contact information is 651-290-1618, omalleyt@archspm.org.