Kalamazoo diocese hires former Archbishop of Minneapolis, to objection of activist group

WWMT
January 13, 2016

http://tinyurl.com/jxptwtv

KALAMAZOO, Mich. (NEWSCHANNEL 3) - A Catholic official accused of sexual misconduct and covering child sex crimes has been hired by the Kalamazoo diocese.

Newschannel 3 spoke to a group raising awareness on Wednesday, and got reaction from the Catholic Diocese of Kalamazoo.

There are no formal charges against a new assistant priest in the Battle Creek area, but there was an investigation into cover-up and alleged sexual abuse during his last leadership role.

Some say it's important for the community in West Michigan to know.

It was Sunday's newsletter at St. Philip Roman Catholic Church in Battle Creek, that welcomed new assistant priest John Nienstedt.

"Shouldn't your community have been made aware of his past? Of his history?" asked Barbara Dorris, from the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests.

Nienstedt retired from his last role as Archbishop in Minneapolis and St. Paul, but SNAP, an awareness group, says he was forced out in the wake of a criminal investigation.

"We feel he should be been removed, held accountable, disciplined for the part he played of the abuse of children in the twin cities," Dorris said.

According to SNAP, Nienstedt was investigated, but never charged, for allegedly covering up sexual abuse crimes as a church leader.

"These reasons were never verified, but you get the feeling that concerns about the fact he had moves, transferred, protected predator priests, and he himself has been accused of abuse," Dorris said. "For the part he's played in this he simply resigned."

We reached out to the Diocese of Kalamazoo, who said in a statement:

"The Diocese of Kalamazoo is committed to providing safe environments for all people.  As is the case for any priest or bishop ministering in the Diocese, Archbishop Emeritus Nienstedt begins his temporary ministry at St. Philip Parish as a priest in good standing, having met the Church’s stringent standards required to attain that status.  As such, he is welcome in the Diocese of Kalamazoo for the several months that he will be available to offer supplemental sacramental ministry to the people of St. Philip Parish."

Neinstedt was brought in by the church to help the current priest--who is in poor health.

He moved to the area a week ago, and is expected to be here for around six months.

Neinstedt will be acting as an assistant priest at St. Philip.

Nienstedt resigned from the Twin Cities diocese ten days after the archdiocese was indicted for failing to protect children from sexual abuse.