Priest Leaves Battle Creek Church after Community Concerns

WWMT
January 21, 2016

http://wwmt.com/news/local/priest-leaves-battle-creek-church-after-community-concerns

A newly added priest at a Battle Creek Catholic church is now leaving the parish amid concerns from the community.

Archbishop John Nienstedt had been serving as an assistant priest at Saint Philip Roman Catholic Church in Battle Creek.

His appointment was controversial because the archbishop resigned in Minnesota after the Twin Cities Archdiocese was indicted on charges of covering up sexual abuse.

Nienstedt was also accused of sexual misconduct and covering up child sex crimes, but was never criminally charged.

Thursday morning we learned through a letter on the St. Phillip's website that Neinstedit is leaving, effective immediately.

The church pastor says this decision was made because of quote "the unintended discord his presence was causing."