Priest on Leave after Allegations of ‘inappropriate’ Conduct

The Journal
February 13, 2017

http://www.nujournal.com/news/local-news/2017/02/13/priest-on-leave-after-allegations-of-inappropriate-conduct/

The Diocese of New Ulm announced over the weekend that one of its priests, Fr. Sam Wagner, has been placed on leave from ministry during an investigation of “allegations of inappropriate personal conduct.”

The statement from Monsignor Douglas Grams, Vicar General of the Diocese of New Ulm and the Bishop’s Delegate for Matters Pertaining to Sexual Misconduct, was read at parish masses on Saturday and Sunday. The statement did not disclose what the nature of the alleged misconduct was.

The suspension follows a recent report to the New Ulm Police Department about the allegations, which relate to the time period Fr. Wagner was assigned to the Cathedral parish in New Ulm, the statement said.

Fr. Wagner was assigned to the Cathedral parish from June 23, 2014 to June 29, 2016.

The Diocese of New Ulm is cooperating fully with the police investigation, Msgr. Grams said.

Fr. Wagner was assigned in July to serve as parochial vicar in the Divine Mercy Area Faith Community, St. Mary’s, in Sleepy Eye, Japanese Martyrs in Leavenworth, St. Michael in Morgan, and St. Paul in Comfrey.

The statement said it is diocesan policy to remove a member of the clergy from ministry when allegations of misconduct are made, without regard to any determination of credibility of the allegations, allowing all parties to give the investigation their full attention.