Some rich Minnesota donors turn from Archbishop Nienstedt

Star Tribune ^ | November 6, 2013 | BAIRD HELGESON

[Alex Murphy]

Lay Catholics hold no sway in the selection or termination of an archbishop, with those decisions made solely by the Vatican. But it is rare for even a handful of influential members of the local Catholic community to step out so publicly against an archbishop. They join a handful of local priests who have publicly called for new leadership.

Several major donors say they will not give to any capital campaign or other archdiocese-led initiatives until its leadership is replaced.

“Given the present circumstances with the archdiocese and the current leadership, we don’t plan to continue contributing to the archdiocese,” said James R. Frey, president and CEO of the Frey Foundation of Minnesota, which gives money to dozens of nonprofit and Catholic-related organizations that serve the poor.

Frey and his wife have personally given to previous archdiocesan appeals and helped pay down debt at the Cathedral of St. Paul.

“I don’t know how, in the present circumstances, how the archbishop will be able to regain the trust of the contributors,” Frey said. “I don’t know how that can continue.”

Nienstedt, however, repeated his earlier denial of rumors that he had asked the Vatican to replace him at the head of the archdiocese. “I am responsible for leading this local Church and accountable for ensuring we have safe environments where the Gospel of Jesus Christ can flourish,” he wrote Wednesday. “It is my responsibility to repair the damage that has been done, whether on my watch or not. This is my highest priority.”

[Alex Murphy]

Lay Catholics hold no sway in the selection or termination of an archbishop, with those decisions made solely by the Vatican. But it is rare for even a handful of influential members of the local Catholic community to step out so publicly against an archbishop. They join a handful of local priests who have publicly called for new leadership....[Archbishop John Nienstedt], however, repeated his earlier denial of rumors that he had asked the Vatican to replace him at the head of the archdiocese. “I am responsible for leading this local Church and accountable for ensuring we have safe environments where the Gospel of Jesus Christ can flourish,” he wrote Wednesday.

[topher]

Simple advice for anyone on Freerepublic - don't believe the LAME STREAM MEDIA.

The Lame Stream Media, in my opinion, puts one on the FAST PATH TO HELL.

[Alex Murphy]

KEYWORDS: alexmurphythread; badcatholics; devilworship; dumbcatholics; idiotcatholics; lamestreammedia; pagancatholics; satanicthread; satanworship;

Thread for those like Paganism, Witchcraft, Gay Marriage, Abortion, Satan sacrifices of babies, Satanism,

Simple advice for anyone on Freerepublic - don't believe the LAME STREAM MEDIA.
The Lame Stream Media, in my opinion, puts one on the FAST PATH TO HELL.

Have you been spamming the thread with keywords, topher?

[CedarDave]

It would be nice to know the background without clicking on the link to the Red Star-Tribune to figure out what this is all about:

The archdiocese and Nienstedt have drawn intense criticism over the handling of allegations of sexual misconduct by priests and the archbishop said last month he is refocusing plans for a $160 million capital campaign. A feasibility study had been done to gauge support for fundraising the archdiocese described as essential.

On Wednesday he again called attention to steps he said he had ordered to protect children and vulnerable adults, pledging to “take action that will truly address these very troubling concerns.”

[flaglady47]

The article still sorely lacks any detail as to what is actually happening w/the Archbishop in MN. What’s his alleged sin? How has he been remiss? Are the people attacking him a bunch of liberal social justice types? MN breeds liberals. I want to know a whole lot more than what this article speaks to.

[CedarDave]

I agree - what I posted just provides a piece of the puzzle, but raises more questions like the ones you asked.

[Gumdrop]

This is all about politics and the liberals in the Catholic intelligentia (Universities of St. Thomas and St. John’s, etc.) do not like Bishop Nienstedt because he is considered to be faithful to the Gospel and the Magisterium of the RC Church.

The two previous Archbishops (Roach and Flynn) were reluctant to ever call out pro-abortion politicians, etc. They were the ones responsible for the previous scandals and the cover-up of abusive behavior among the clergy, not Nienstedt. Archbishop Nienstedt has been more forceful in stating the true Catholic position on theological issues relating to personal conduct. Liberals dislike him, just like they did not like PJPII and PBXVI.

They hope to drive Nienstedt out of the diocese. Pray for Archbishop John Nienstedt.

[SunkenCiv]

Thanks Alex Murphy.

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