Priest Enters Not Guilty Plea, SNAP Responds

SNAP
September 5, 2014

http://www.snapnetwork.org/mn_priest_enters_not_guilty_plea_snap_responds

A Hastings-area priest has entered a not guilty plea in a child sexual abuse case. We hope as this case heads to trial any other victims who might be suffering in silence and self-blame will find the courage to speak up.

Fr. Francis Hoefgen is charged with sexually abusing an altar boy while at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton parish. Were it not for Fr. Hoefgen's brave victims, the public may have never learned the extent of the cleric's crimes. In fact, he would probably still be working with vulnerable children.

We urge anyone who saw, suspects, or suffered child sex crimes to speak up, report to law enforcement, and start healing. Archbishop John Nienstedt should also use his vast resources to encourage victims, witnesses and whistleblowers to come forward and report to secular officials.