From Archbishop Bernard A. Hebda

Father Timothy Dolan has been authorized to return to ministry in the Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis.

Father Dolan has been out of ministry since February 2016, after the Archdiocese reported to law enforcement a concern received from a citizen that Father Dolan may be a risk to children. The investigation by law enforcement, as well as a subsequent investigation by the Archdiocese, determined that the concern that children were at risk was unfounded. During its investigation, law enforcement seized and examined a computer that contained adult pornography.  Father Dolan’s case was reviewed by the county attorney’s office and no charges were brought.

While on leave from ministry, Father Dolan has engaged in extensive professional counselling. Father Dolan cooperated with the investigations and, after they were completed, the Archdiocese’s Ministerial Review Board (MRB) thoroughly reviewed Father Dolan’s case. Father met with the MRB on several occasions. The MRB recommended to Judge Tim O’Malley, Director of our Office of Ministerial Standards and Safe Environment, that Father be allowed to return to ministry. Judge O’Malley concurred. I agree with those recommendations and am currently working with Father Dolan to find the best way to reintegrate him into ministry.