End Church Sexual Abuse! Priest Writes Shocking Memo, Exposing Corrupt, Predator Clerics

By Marshall Connolly
Catholic Online
July 21, 2016

http://www.catholic.org/news/hf/faith/story.php?id=70013

A memo from an outraged priest has been published, along with a trove of other documents in a sex abuse cover up. The aim of the memo and the document release is to convince the Vatican to take action against two high ranking individuals.

LOS ANGELES, CA (California Network) - In 2014, the Vatican's ambassador to the United States ended an independent investigation into possible sexual abuse and misconduct by Archbishop john C. Nienstedt of St. Paul and Minneapolis.

According to one priest, Rev. Dan Griffith, the decision to end the investigation was a cover up.

Fr. Griffith worked for the Archdiocese and had detailed inside knowledge of what was going on with the Archbishop. According to Fr. Griffith, the Archbishop mishandled priests accused of abusing children and participated in his own sexual misconduct. Then, the Papal nuncio in Washington, Archbishop Carlo Vigano, ordered the termination of an internal investigation after it uncovered evidence against the Archbishop.

Archbishop Nienstedt has been accused of sexual misconduct with seminarians and priests, and possibly even with a member of the Swiss Papal Guard in Rome.

The accusations follow an independent investigation by the law firm, Greene Espel, retained by the Church to look into the matter. According to Fr. Griffith, the investigation revealed 11 witnesses who had credible testimony against the Archbishop. The investigation adds that the Archbishop took retaliatory actions against those who rejected his advances.

There remained another 24 leads to pursue, when the investigation was ended on orders from the Vatican's ambassador.

While the Vatican investigation was stifled, U.S. and local authorities pursued their own criminal and civil investigation against the Archdiocese. The criminal charges were recently dropped after the Archdiocese, which is under new leadership, agreed to a robust program of cooperation.

The new Archbishop Bernard Hebda, has promised to work with local authorities at least until 2020 to ensure children are protected. The Archbishop published a letter on July 20, apologizing and asking for forgiveness. The letter also promises cooperation with Ramsey County authorities.

Meanwhile, Archbishop Nienstedt, remains in good standing, although he stepped down from his post last year. This is in the face of accusations that he engaged in sexual misconduct and mishandled accused priests. Archbishop Carlo Vigano retired last year.

It should be emphasized that neither Archbishop Nienstedt or Archbishop Vigano have been convicted of a crime.

Fr. Griffith as well as others hope Pope Francis will take action against both men.

Those within the Church who abuse children, engage in sexual misconduct, or cover up for those who do, are not friends of the Church. They do not deserve the protection of the Church from civil penalties. They drive people from the pews and into other congregations, or away from Christ altogether. These people are great enemies who must be discovered. They must be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. They may be forgiven and they may enjoy the promises of Christ should they repent and change their ways, but they may never again hold the trust of the faithful. They must never be employed by the Church.

People who abuse the faithful perform the Devil's work and must be dealt with appropriately.