From Tim O’Malley, Director of Ministerial Standards and Safe Environment
For a number of years, Archdiocesan leaders have received inquiries about Father Kevin McDonough’s role during the sexual abuse crisis in the Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis. From 1995-2013, Father McDonough held safe environment leadership positions when decisions were made regarding a number of priests, including Curtis Wehmeyer. He had responsibility for specific duties including overseeing investigations and providing services to victim/survivors. Some have questioned whether he properly exercised his authority during that timeframe. The Ramsey County Attorney’s Office filed civil and criminal charges against the Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis alleging that the Archdiocese by its … “act, word, or omission encouraged, caused or contributed…” to the abuse of the three juvenile victims by then-priest Curtis Wehmeyer and cited the past actions of specific Archdiocesan leaders, including Father Kevin McDonough.
Once the Ramsey County criminal and civil cases were completed, the Archdiocesan Ministerial Review Board (MRB) was given the task of considering Father McDonough’s role in the Archdiocesan sexual abuse crisis. The MRB serves as a consultative body to advise the Archbishop and his staff regarding clergy misconduct. One of its duties is to examine allegations of misconduct against priests and then make recommendations to the Archbishop and the Director of the Office of Ministerial Standards and Safe Environment (OMSSE) regarding the priest’s fitness to engage in ministry.
The MRB has completed a comprehensive investigation and examination of Father McDonough’s role in the Archdiocesan sexual abuse crisis and made a recommendation to the Archbishop regarding Father McDonough’s fitness to engage in ministry.
With the assistance of a former St. Paul Police Department investigator now working for the Archdiocesan Office of Ministerial Standards and Safe Environment (OMSSE) and other staff members from that office, the MRB conducted an exhaustive review. Investigators reviewed thousands of pages of memoranda, emails, letters, depositions, policies, statements, publications, police reports and court filings. They also interviewed sixteen witnesses. All information gathered was provided to the MRB by these investigators. In addition, two victim/survivors of clergy sexual abuse appeared before the MRB to provide information and express their concerns regarding Father McDonough. Additionally, the OMSSE provided the MRB with detailed information regarding Fr. McDonough’s interactions with specific offending priests, including some of the priests cited by the Ramsey County Attorney’s Office in its criminal and civil complaints.
Father McDonough participated in the process. He was given access to the same information and the questions that had been raised concerning his conduct, and he was permitted to provide his explanation and rationale. Father McDonough appeared before the MRB and responded to all questions posed by MRB members.
After extensive deliberations, the MRB found that Father McDonough had not always demonstrated sufficiently sound judgment in handling allegations of ministerial misconduct or in attending to his duties to prevent harm and create safer environments. Although the Board found that Father McDonough did not intend for harm to occur, they concluded that harm did occur. In addition, based on concerns about Father McDonough’s past conduct while in leadership, the MRB also concluded that Father McDonough failed, albeit not intentionally, to adequately keep children safe and recommended that he should be barred from similar leadership roles at the Archdiocesan level going forward.
Nonetheless, the MRB concluded that Father McDonough does not present a risk and recommended that Father McDonough be considered fit for his current assignment in parish ministry at Incarnation parish in Minneapolis.
The MRB also urged Father McDonough to consider his level of responsibility and take steps to promote greater healing in the Archdiocese, including participating in a restorative justice effort. As an effort toward this goal, in May of 2021, retired Wisconsin Supreme Court Justice and restorative justice expert Janine Geske facilitated a restorative justice session in which Father McDonough, two survivors of clergy sexual abuse, and two priests participated.
After speaking with Father McDonough, Archbishop Hebda has fully accepted the recommendation of the MRB.