MINNESOTA
Survivors Network of Those Abused by Priests
For immediate release: Monday, Oct. 27
Statement by Frank Meuers of Plymouth MN, SNAP’s Twin Cities director
Newly released Twin Cities Catholic church records show that, as of 2012, a convicted predator priest
–lives alone,
–has discontinued therapy,
–admits he’s still attracted to boys,
–works as a consultant for Catholic religious orders,
–is no longer required, by Catholic officials, to attend therapy,
–can travel anywhere without asking permission from his church supervisors or letting them know &
–knows of two or three of his victims who apparently have not yet come forward.
All of this comes “straight from the horse’s mouth” – from the last ten pages of “Gilbert Gustafson Key Documents” on the website of Jeff Anderson’s law firm: AndersonAdvocates.com. And let us stress again: Fr. Gustafson is a convicted child molester. And he is still a priest. He has not been defrocked.
Fr. Gustafson belongs in jail. Archbishop John Nienstedt and his colleagues, we believe, could likely help law enforcement put him there, by aggressively seeking out those who may have seen, suspected or suffered more recent crimes by Fr. Gustafson.
And until Fr. Gustafson is prosecuted and convicted, Nienstedt should insist that he live in a remote, secure, independent treatment facility, not live alone in West St. Paul. (Other employers could not force employees to do this. Catholic officials do, however, have this power.)
Just a few pages back from the most recent ten or twelve of these just-disclosed records and there are other stunning revelations:
–An undated memo says that Fr. Gustafson can be the “conscience” of Fr. Kevin McDonough, a high ranking archdiocesan official who long dealt with clergy sex cases.
–As recently as May 2008, Nienstedt admits he knows Fr. Gustafson appears to be presenting himself as clergy. But he takes no steps to warn the public about him.
–As recently as July 2008, church officials were aware that Fr. Gustafson was acting as a priest.
–As recently as 2011, church officials admit he continues to receive compensation from the archdiocese (and we believe this is still the case today).
–As recently as 2012, the files contain a handwritten note saying “Gil is very smart and is, I am sure, capable of fooling others and himself.” It seems the note is by Fr. Kevin McDonough.
As best we can tell, the only time church officials even talk of potentially changing anything about Fr. Gustafson’s situation is when they fear more civil lawsuits might be coming.
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