St. Paul Archdiocese Names Nine More Priests Accused of Abuse

By Jean Hopfensperger
Star Tribune
February 17, 2014

http://www.startribune.com/local/245838571.html

The names of nine more priests accused of sexually abusing minors were made public Monday by the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis, just one day before a court deadline to identify all accused priests.

The fact that most of the priests were already known, the subject of at least four lawsuits with dozens of victims, prompted victims’ advocates to ask why the men weren’t on a list released in December.

The names were released the day after a Ramsey County District Court Judge denied a request by the archdiocese to delay enforcing an order to release names of all priests accused of abuse — not just “credibly accused” — and to block attorneys from taking testimony under oath from Archbishop John Nienstedt and former Vicar General Kevin McDonough.

The archdiocese had requested the delay while it appeals the order to the Minnesota Court of Appeals. While it is ordered to file the names of the accused priests with Ramsey District Court, the names will be under seal.