2 Metro Priests Placed on Leave over "Boundary Violations" with Minors

By Shelby Capacio
Fox 9
December 29, 2013

http://www.myfoxtwincities.com/story/24323993/2-metro-priests-placed-on-leave-over-boundary-violations-with-minors

On Sunday, the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis announced that two metro priests are being placed on leave pending a review of alleged inappropriate conduct involving minors.

Church officials say both Father Joseph Gallatin, pastor at the Church of St. Peter in Mendota, and Father Mark Wehmann, of St. Boniface in Minneapolis, agreed to take a leave of absence from active ministry; however, both will remain pastors until a final review is completed.

The move came as part of a review of clergy files that is still being performed by an outside professional firm, Kinsale Management Consulting, which is combing through the records of all clergy members in active ministry.

According to a pair of releases from the archdiocese, both cases involve so-called "boundary violations," but no further information was given.

FATHER JOSEPH GALLATIN

According to a release, a single incident of inappropriate conduct with a minor dating back many years ago was uncovered by the current review.

The archdiocese said the review team did not conclude that the incident was criminal, but law enforcement has since been notified "to ensure all appropriate steps have been taken."

Gallatin has served as a pastor in Mendota since July 2008.

FATHER MARK WEHMANN

In the case of Wehmann, the review team identified several instances of inappropriate conduct involving minors. Although law enforcement had been informed of most of the incidents in the past and decided not to press charges, the archdiocese has now informed police of the remaining incidents that were not previously disclosed.

Wehmann only recently came to be pastor at St. Boniface in Minneapolis in July 2013. Until recently, he had also served as a part-time chaplain at Fairview University Hospital in Minneapolis.

NEITHER NAME APPEARS ON 'CREDIBLY ACCUSED' LIST

Earlier this month, the archdiocese released the names of nearly three dozen priests who were credibly accused of sexually abusing minors. Gallatin and Wehmann were not on that list.

At the time, church officials said that list was not final, and more names would be released as the review continued.

"If the archdiocese learns of additional credible claims that are substantiated, whether from the review of the clergy files or otherwise, additional announcements will be made and the disclosures will be updated on our website," archdiocese spokesman Jim Accurso said Sunday an email to the Associated Press.

Roughly two weeks ago, Archbishop John Nienstedt himself stepped away from public ministry after he was accused of inappropriately touching a boy during a public photo session in 2009. Police are investigating the allegation, which Nienstedt strongly denies.

The Diocese of Winona also released a list of 14 priests accused of sexual abuse, and St. John's Abbey also released a list of 18 accused monks.