MINNESOTA
Roman Catholic Diocese of St. Cloud via WJON
[with list of names]
For immediate release……………
When I became Bishop of the Diocese of Saint Cloud, in November 2013, I immediately
began connecting with people, familiarizing myself with policies, and reviewing
important documents that I am responsible for as Bishop. Part of that process has
involved reviewing files regarding claims of sexual abuse of minors by clergy who
served in parishes within the Diocese of Saint Cloud. I am struck by the courage and
strength of the victims of abuse who have come forward. And I am impressed with the
pastoral responses of my predecessors. So in mid-December, I decided to release the
names of those clergy. Therefore, I asked my senior staff to make certain I had a
complete list of all the clergy who had likely abused minors. It is my intent to continue to
provide a pastoral response to such abuse. In that spirit, I am now disclosing a list of all
clergy identified, to date, who were likely involved in the sexual abuse of minors. I am
also disclosing the parishes where each of those clergy served within the Diocese of
Saint Cloud. The list includes Diocesan priests as well as clergy who are members of
religious communities who served in parishes in the Diocese. Additionally on this list are
the names of several men of a religious community from outside the Diocese who
served in schools within our Diocese.
It is my hope that the release of these names will provide validation to those victims who
have been sexually abused and have already come forward. I pray it will also give
strength to those who have remained silent and allow them to come forward.
The following statement is a part the Sexual Misconduct policy for the
Diocese of Saint Cloud:
If someone has sexually abused you or exploited you, and you feel that the time
is right to come forward, there are professionals you can talk to about your
experience. They can assist you in getting the help you need. You do not have to
face or name your abuser. You don’t have to give any information you are not
comfortable disclosing. It does not matter how long ago the abuse was.
Assistance is available to you
Contact information:
Assistance Coordinator:
Roxann Storms, MSW, LICSW, FT
(320) 529-4615 (Confidential Line)
Advocates:
Jane Blee: St. Cloud @ 320-251-3430
Tom Klecker: St. Joseph @ 320-253-2866
Jim Otremba: Sauk Rapids @ 320-253-3450
Dolores Saurer: Fergus Fall @ 218-736-3592
Rev. Stanley Wieser: Wheaton (Spanish) 320-815-9696
Jennifer Wirz: Central MN 320-339-0622
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