3 Diocese of New Ulm Priests Named in New Sexual Abuse Lawsuits

By Jennie Lissarrague
KSTP
April 15, 2016

http://kstp.com/news/diocese-new-ulm-priests-sexual-abuse-lawsuits/4106964/

Three priests from the Diocese of New Ulm who have been accused of sexual abuse were named for the first time Friday.

Attorney Jeff Anderson and Associates filed lawsuits against each of the priests under the Minnesota Child Victims Act, which allows survivors of sexual abuse to file claims against their abusers and the institutions involved until May 25.

The priests were identified as Fr. Bernard Steiner, Fr. Richard Gross and Fr. Edward Ardolf.

According to the attorneys, Steiner was ordained in 1964 in the Diocese of New Ulm and worked in several parishes throughout southern and west-central Minnesota. A victim claimed to be abused by Steiner at the Church of St. Paul in Comfrey, Minnesota, in the 1970s.

Gross was ordained in 1962 in the Diocese of New Ulm and worked in parishes in New Ulm, Taunton, Rosen, Hutchinson and Watkins. A victim claimed to be abused by Gross at St. Mary’s parish in New Ulm in the 1960s.

Ardolf was ordained in 1964 in the Diocese of New Ulm and worked in Winsted, New Ulm, North Mankato, Springfield, Canby, St. Leo, Sleepy Eye and Nicollet. A victim claimed to be abused by Ardolf at St. Raphael’s in Springfield.