Posted on 07/01/2014 6:40:45 PM PDT by koanhead
A Roman Catholic archbishop in Minnesota who had been one of the hierarchy’s most vocal opponents of gay rights is the target of an investigation into allegations that he had a series of sexual relationships with priests, seminarians and other men.
The investigation of Twin Cities Archbishop John Nienstedt is being conducted by a prominent Minneapolis law firm hired by the archdiocese after church officials received an allegation against Nienstedt.
The archdiocese confirmed the investigation, which was first reported by Commonweal, a Catholic magazine based in New York....
Commonweal’s story cites Jennifer Haselberger, former top canon lawyer for Nienstedt, as saying she learned of the investigation when she was questioned by attorneys from the firm that the archdiocese hired, Greene Espel.
Nienstedt came under fire in September for allegedly failing to report or discipline clergy suspected of molesting children. Those allegations sparked ongoing criminal investigations. The allegations surfaced after Haselberger, who had resigned her post in frustration in April 2013, began leaking internal church documents that appeared to detail efforts to shield abusers....
Nienstedt has earned a reputation as a leading culture warrior in the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops and his signature issue is homosexuality.
He frequently discusses the topic, often using controversial language or espousing unorthodox theories....
In 2006, while bishop of the New Ulm diocese, he wrote a column warning the faithful against watching “Brokeback Mountain,” the story of two gay cowboys struggling with their relationship in the conservative culture of the Mountain West....
(Excerpt) Read more at religionnews.com ...
It sickens me to see this continue unaddressed.
This surely isn’t news to those who have had the responsibility to address this much earlier than now.
I don’t know if any of this is true or not, but we have an archbishop that has in the past been very vocal against the same sex marriage, homosexuality, etc. It wouldn’t surprise me if there is some dirty tricks being played here by the gay Nazis. It all could be true, but I’m holding back any judgements for now.
I agree Virgil, let’s see how this plays out.
I agree. I have no idea if this is true or false. Let’s see what is discovered.
Even if true, if he has put all that behind him and now repudiates sodomy, he’s all the more qualified to issue judgement against it.
If you’re a former alcoholic, does that disqualify you from commenting on the sin of drunkenness?
Having been there and back makes him more qualified to criticize it I would think. I agree.
When Nienstedt was announced as the new AB of StP - MPLS, the liberals in the church began howling even before he was installed. They have hated the idea that he was replacing a more liberal/tolerant AB.
The fact is that the sexual abuse allegations and scandals in the StP-MPLS archdiocese took place many hears ago long before Neinstedt was in StP.
My inclination is to believe that these are not truthful allegations. I hope I am correct.
“Nienstedt, as saying she learned of the investigation when she was questioned by attorneys from the firm that the archdiocese hired, Greene Espel.”
Ya know....those attorneys are always clear that you’re to keep your yap shut, as the entire subject matter is confidential.
Glad you recommend skepticism.
This has been addressed.
What hasn’t been addressed is the sexual abuse of children by teachers.
Bumping the truth.
You should have seen my post on another thread.
Since the 50’s the media has ignored the sexual abuse of children in PUBLIC SCHOOLS, and administrators shuffling the teachers from district to district.
The media is happy to have folks believe its a unique Catholic problem.
The issue at this point is his criminal liability for abuse of authority, covering up crimes, etc.
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