MINNESOTA
Star Tribune
Article by: BAIRD HELGESON , Star Tribune Updated: October 22, 2013
A priest’s message to the faithful and a petition drive are the latest signs of unrest for the Twin Cities archdiocese.
The pastor of a large Twin Cities parish has taken the unusual step of publicly questioning whether Archbishop John Nienstedt should continue in his post amid a widening priest sex abuse scandal.
Rev. Bill Deziel, who heads the 6,000-member Church of St. Peter, used his church’s Sunday bulletin to call for a “do-over” of diocesan leadership. “When things get this bad,” Deziel said in the bulletin to his parishioners, “sometimes a fresh start is needed for all involved.” Such a change, he said, “could get us moving again with all that Christ calls us to do.”
Archdiocese spokesman Jim Accurso said Tuesday that Nienstedt will address clergy sexual misconduct in his column for The Catholic Spirit, which will be available online Thursday.
Deziel, who was appointed to his parish by Nienstedt in 2011, also publicly called on the Twin Cities archdiocese to release the names of 33 priests accused of sexually abused children and the so-called vault in the archiodese’s chancery offices to be opened and its files on priests inspected by law enforcement.
In addition, a St. Paul attorney has begun an online petition drive calling for Nienstedt’s resignation. Thomas Lyons, a Catholic and former president of the Minnesota Trial Lawyers Association, said Tuesday that Nienstedt can no longer fulfill the duties of his office.
“What this man can do, if he is truly remorseful, he should resign and give the Pope an opportunity to appoint an uncorrupt person to serve the faithful of Minneapolis and St. Paul,” Lyons said.
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