MINNESOTA
St. Cloud Times
[Doe 75 Summons and Complaint – Jeff Anderson & Associates]
[video: Jeff Anderson & Associates press conference regarding the lawsuit.]
[statement from the St. Cloud diocese]
David Unze, dunze@stcloudtimes.com October 13, 2015
ST. PAUL — Bishop Donald Kettler has removed the priestly faculties of an Elk River priest who was accused Tuesday in a civil lawsuit of sexually abusing a former Cathedral High School student nearly 40 years ago.
The Rev. Anthony (Tony) Marfori is one of three defendants in the lawsuit, which was filed by a student who accuses Marfori of abusing him in the late 1970s when the student was 15 and attending Cathedral. The Diocese of St. Cloud and Cathedral High School are the other defendants.
The diocese said the lawsuit is the first time it has heard of sexual abuse allegations against Marfori, who is a “sacramental minister” at St. Andrew Parish in Elk River. The allegations have been reported to law enforcement, according to a statement from the diocese.
The removal of priestly faculties means that Marfori can’t function or present himself as a priest while the allegation is investigated. Marfori had been assisting the pastor of St. Andrew in an agreement between Marfori and the Elk River parish, the statement said.
Kettler didn’t assign Marfori to the Elk River parish, according to the statement. Kettler has also notified the Diocesan Review Board about the allegation.
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