Attorney calls for grand jury investigations into priest abuse in Minnesota

By Tim Blotz
KMSP
August 22, 2018

http://www.fox9.com/news/attorney-advocates-for-grand-jury-investigations-into-priest-abuse-in-minnesota

Attorney Jeff Anderson is calling on Gov. Mark Dayton to force criminal grand jury investigations into priest abuse cases across the state.

A grand jury investigation in Pennsylvania last week revealed more than 300 priests who abused children.

Now, Anderson wants Dayton to use a little known state statute to force similar grand jury investigations here.

Surrounded by eight survivors of clergy sexual abuse, Anderson said the time has come for criminal investigations.

“So we’re calling upon law enforcement in Minnesota to convene a grand jury,” he said.

The investigation identified more than 300 priests as perpetrators and it revealed how the Catholic Church tried to cover it up. Anderson used the Pennsylvania documents to amplify his call for criminal justice in Minnesota.

“We know what they found in Pennsylvania, and I know what they’ve done in Pennsylvania,” he said. “Because we’ve been working there with survivors for many, many years, because they have been concealing crimes the same way they have been in Minnesota.” 

Pope Francis condemned what he called the atrocities this week.

He says the church showed no care for the little ones and abandoned them.

The Minnesota survivors who gathered with Anderson say they too want justice and criminal charges.

“The time for letters on contrition, prayer vigils are over,” said Joe McClean, a survivor.

“It is time for the laity, the people in the church to stand up with us survivors.  You have been on the sidelines, but now you must know that we speak the truth.  And you have been standing on the sidelines not supporting us.  You need to stand with us so that the truth will be known,” said Tom Mahowald, another survivor.

The Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis issued a statement Wednesday:

“Today, Jeff Anderson called for a grand jury investigation of all diocese in Minnesota. In early 2015, he called for an investigation of this Archdiocese.  We cooperated with that investigation and would cooperate with any further investigation.”

The statement goes on to say, “for years now the archdiocese has worked cooperatively with Jeff Anderson’s office to continue disclosing the names of priests with substantiated claims of sexual abuse of a minor, as they come to our attention.  That process remains ongoing.”

Within the past hour Gov. Dayton’s office issued a response saying the governor has not ever received such a request and is researching any past precedent and his statutory authority on this matter.