Minn. archbishop announces moves to end culture fostering clergy abuse

St. Paul, Minn., Dec 14, 2018 / 20:01 pm

Archbishop Bernard Hebda of Saint Paul and Minneapolis announced Friday several changes meant "to change the culture that fostered the clergy abuse crisis."

Among these are the creation of a new position within the Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis to ensure that "the voice of survivors of clergy sexual abuse will be regularly heard within Archdiocesan leadership," Hebda wrote in a Dec. 14 letter.

"To strengthen that voice, I want to say again today that any survivor who at any time entered into a settlement agreement containing a confidentiality provision is released from that provision," he added.

"I also reiterate my pledge to meet with any survivors who would like to do so."

Hebda wrote that he plans to make himself available to survivors of abuse all Friday afternoons in February, March, and April, as well as other times and places. Planning for spiritual outreach in 2019 is also underway, he said.

Hebda reiterated that he strongly favors a "lay-led mechanism for investigating and assessing any allegations made against me or any other bishop."

Hebda's predecessor, Archbishop John Nienstedt, was the subject of a misconduct allegation involving adult males in 2014. Nienstedt delegated the investigation to his senior auxiliary bishop, who submitted the investigative materials to then-Nuncio Archbishop Carlo Maria Viganò after seeking the counsel of two law firms. In addition, the allegations against Nienstedt were provided to the county attorney's office.

However, the situation remains "unresolved for the accusers, for Archbishop Nienstedt and for the public" because Hebda said as far as he knows, the Vatican's effort into the investigation ended when Archbishop Nienstedt resigned his office in June 2015.

Archbishop Viganò has since denied that he ordered the Vatican's investigation of Nienstedt to be halted.

Hebda wrote of the investigation: "I share the frustration that is felt by them, and believe this situation highlights the need for a better-defined process and independent mechanism to resolve allegations made against bishops."

An additional allegation emerged that then-bishop of New Ulm Nienstedt, at a 2005 World Youth Day event in Germany, had invited minors to his hotel room, proceeded to undress and had invited them to do the same – an account which Nienstedt denies. Hebda said he transmitted information about this allegation to the nuncio in 2016.

"I have been asked repeatedly whether there are any restrictions on Archbishop Nienstedt's ministry," Hebda wrote.

"My answer has always been that although I do not know of any, I am the wrong person to ask: Bishops report to the Holy Father, not to each other. I have no general juridical authority over Archbishop Nienstedt or any other bishop outside the Archdiocese."

However, Hebda did offer clarification that Nienstedt, like any priest facing misconduct allegations, "would not be free to exercise public ministry in this Archdiocese until all open allegations are resolved."

Hebda said he would continue to advocate for an independent review board, and would commit to transmitting the entire 2014 archdiocesan investigation to whatever national or regional review board is created.

"In order to fully address bishop accountability, the Church needs a national or regional board empowered to act, much as our well-respected Ministerial Review Board has been empowered to address allegations involving our priests and deacons," the archbishop wrote.

"The Church cannot fulfill its mission without public trust."