From the Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis 

Archbishop Hebda announced to the priests of the Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis earlier today that the Most Reverend Lee Piché has accepted his invitation to return to the Archdiocese to serve as his Vicar for Retired Priests. It was eight years ago this month that the Holy Father accepted Bishop Piché’s resignation as auxiliary bishop of the Archdiocese. Since that time, Bishop Piché has embraced a life of prayer and penance for the intention of victims of abuse in the Archdiocese, and for efforts to bring healing into the lives of those who have been impacted in any way by clergy abuse. While those efforts continue, Archbishop Hebda has asked Bishop Piché to return to the Archdiocese and embrace the work of providing pastoral care to our retired priests and of making himself available for restorative justice efforts related to abuse. At a meeting of retired priests held last month, the clergy gathered unanimously supported an invitation to Bishop Piché to serve as Vicar for Retired Priests. Prior to extending the invitation, Archbishop Hebda consulted as well with a number of individuals who had been personally impacted by the abuse crisis and other members of the community who have been involved in assisting the Archdiocese in its ongoing outreach to survivors and in its work to provide safe environments in our schools and churches. Bishop Piché will be assuming his new role July 1.