MINNESOTA
Pioneer Press
By Elizabeth Mohr and Sarah Horner
Pioneer Press
The walls were closing in on the archdiocese.
Child sexual abuse lawsuits. An investigation into the archbishop. Bankruptcy. Criminal charges. And now a Vatican tribunal to punish bishops who covered up abuses.
On Monday, two top officials of the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis stepped down.
Archbishop John Nienstedt and Auxiliary Bishop Lee Anthony Piché said they are resigning, a rare occurrence within the Catholic hierarchy.
The announcement came 10 days after the Ramsey County attorney’s office filed a 43-page criminal complaint, detailing the alleged roles of church officials – including Nienstedt, 68, and Piché, 57 – in protecting a predatory priest.
In a statement, Nienstedt said: “In order to give the archdiocese a new beginning amidst the many challenges we face, I have submitted my resignation. My leadership has unfortunately drawn attention away from the good works of (Christ’s) Church and those who perform them. Thus, my decision to step down.”
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