UNITED STATES
Washington Post
By Abby Ohlheiser and Michelle Boorstein June 15
Just days after his archdiocese was charged by prosecutors over its handling of sexual abuse claims against a priest, Archbishop of Saint Paul and Minneapolis John C. Nienstedt resigned on Monday.
“In order to give the Archdiocese a new beginning amidst the many challenges we face, I have submitted my resignation as Archbishop of Saint Paul and Minneapolis to our Holy Father, Pope Francis, and I have just received word that he has accepted it,” Nienstedt said in a statement posted to the archdiocese’s website. “My leadership has unfortunately drawn attention away from the good works of His Church and those who perform them. Thus, my decision to step down.”
He added: “I leave with a clear conscience knowing that my team and I have put in place solid protocols to ensure the protection of minors and vulnerable adults.”
Bishop Lee A. Piché, Auxiliary Bishop of Saint Paul and Minneapolis, also resigned on Monday. The Most Rev. Bernard A. Hebda will serve as Apostolic Administrator of the archdiocese until Pope Francis appoints a new Archbishop.
Ten days ago, Minnesota prosecutors charged the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis over its handling of clergy abuse claims, saying church leaders failed to protect children from unspeakable harm and “turned a blind eye” to repeated reports of inappropriate behavior by a priest who was later convicted of molesting two boys, the Associated Press reported. …
Anne Barrett Doyle of BishopAccountability.org, which tracks abuse cases, said Monday that the Minneapolis clerics were “low-hanging fruit” and that Pope Francis must clarify why they left office.
“The last three popes have removed bishops for this,” she said. “But no one has made an explicit statement saying this is the reason. That kind of confirmation in light of last week’s [announcement about the new tribunal] is really important. We can’t continue to have popes staying mum when bishops are removed.”
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