MINNESOTA
Mankato Free Press

By Leah Buletti lbuletti@mankatofreepress.com

NEW ULM — After a lengthy legal battle, the Diocese of New Ulm and a St. Paul law firm have jointly released the names of 16 priests who have been credibly accused of sexual abuse while assigned as priests.

Of the 16 men, 13 are deceased and all but one — Cletus Altermatt — have been named in prior media reports.

The names were released at a news conference Tuesday morning held by the law firm Jeff Anderson and Associates, during which two victims shared their stories.

“In order for kids to be safe, the names of the credibly accused need to be out there,” attorney Mike Finnegan said after the conference.

The release of names is also important so survivors know it’s safe to come forward, Finnegan said. More priests are expected to be added to the list…