MINNESOTA
Fox 9
ST. PAUL, Minn. (KMSP) – The Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis will publicly admit wrongdoing in its handling of 3 abuse allegations involving a former priest. The admission of wrongdoing is among 4 major developments announced at a Wednesday morning civil settlement hearing in Ramsey County District Court.
As part of the settlement, Ramsey County Attorney John Choi agreed to drop 6 criminal child endangerment charges against the archdiocese. In Dec. 2015, Choi filed criminal charges against the archdiocese “to hold it criminally accountable for its failure to protect children.” The church was accused of keeping Father Curtis Wehmeyer in the ministry despite knowledge of his sexual misconduct. In 2013, Wehmeyer was convicted on 20 felony charges for sexually abusing two minors in Minnesota. He was also charged in Chippewa County, Wisconsin with second-degree sexual assault. Wehmeyer was defrocked by Pope Francis in March 2015.
As part of the updated settlement, Archbishop Bernard Hebda will personally participate in restorative justice programs. Another significant development announced Wednesday was the release of any victims’ prior confidentiality agreements, within 30 days.
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