MINNESOTA
Winona Daily News
By Jerome Christenson | jchristenson@winonadailynews.com | Posted: Friday, March 16, 2012
Thomas Adamson, a former priest of the Diocese of Winona named in several lawsuits alleging sexual abuse of young boys, has been barred from all diocese parishes and schools.
In a statement released this week, the diocese said it had “communicated directly to Mr. Adamson that he is not welcome or permitted to enter onto the premises of any parishes or schools within the Diocese of Winona.”
The action came in response to Adamson’s relocation to Rochester earlier this year. According to a spokesman, the diocese learned of Adamson’s move in early February, and on Feb. 8 sent a letter and current photograph of Adamson to all Rochester schools and parishes alerting them to his presence in the community.
Adamson, 78, a native of Byron, Minn., was ordained a priest in 1958. His first assignment was in Winona as a full-time teacher at Cotter High School with residence and pastoral duties at St. Casimir’s Parish. He was assigned assistant principal of St. Adrian’s High School, Adrian, Minn., in May 1961. Allegations of Adamson’s sexual involvement with young boys date from the early 1960s. In 1975, Adamson was transferred to the Archdiocese of St. Paul after a number of abuse complaints had been brought to the attention of church officials in the Winona diocese.
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