MINNESOTA
Minnesota Public Radio

Peter Cox Feb 20, 2016

A priest at a Fridley, Minn., parish is on leave following a search of his home by Edina Police.

The pastor at the Church of Saint William in Fridley has taken a voluntary leave of absence pending the outcome of an investigation, according to a statement by Twin Cities Archbishop Bernard Hebda.

The pastor is not allowed to exercise priestly ministry while on leave. The archdiocese assigned priests to help continue day-to-day parish operations and to celebrate masses.

Edina police say they executed a search warrant at the priest’s home and another search is likely. Police were investigating a late December tip about suspicious activity. The archdiocese office that deals with sexual abuse of minors and vulnerable adults is cooperating with police, Hebda said.