MINNESOTA
Survivors Network of Those Abused by Priests
For immediate release: Wednesday, Nov. 6, 2013
Statement by SNAP leader Megan Peterson ( 218-689-9049, Survivor19@live.com )
A law banning clergy from sexual contact with congregants has been upheld by the Minnesota Supreme Court. This is a victory for every man and woman who has been sexually exploited by priests, ministers, rabbis and other clerics.
We are grateful that Minnesota’s highest court has upheld a law criminalizing the sexual exploitation of adults by clergy.
At the same time, we are saddened that Twin Cities Archbishop John Nienstedt let one of his priests (Fr. Christopher Wenthe) challenge this law.
It is inherently problematic when clergy have any sexual contact with congregants. There can be no true “consent” given the power difference between the individuals.
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