Aide suggested Archbishop Nienstedt should step down
May 28, 2014
The former vicar general of the St. Paul-Minneapolis archdiocese suggested that Archbishop John Nienstedt consider resignation because of fallout from the mishandling of sex-abuse complaints.
In a sworn deposition submitted in connection with abuse lawsuits, Father Peter Laird said that he had twice mentioned the possibility of resignation in conversations with Archbishop Nienstedt last year, but the archbishop did not respond.
“I think leaders have a responsibility to be accountable for decisions,” said Father Laird, who tendered his own resignation.
For all current news, visit our News home page.
Further information:
All comments are moderated. To lighten our editing burden, only current donors are allowed to Sound Off. If you are a current donor, log in to see the comment form; otherwise please support our work, and Sound Off!
-
Posted by: Minnesota Mary -
May. 31, 2014 10:53 PM ET USA
Archbishop Nienstedt's biggest mistake was not cleaning out all of Archbishop Flynn's apparatchiks in the chancery when he took over as Archbishop upon Flynn's retirement.
-
Posted by: FredC -
May. 30, 2014 3:54 PM ET USA
unum assumes Archbishop Neinstedt is guilty. jg wants every accused priest and bishop to resign. He thereby encourages the enemies of the Church to proceed with many (false) accusations. The enemies are not bothered by lies.
-
Posted by: jg23753479 -
May. 29, 2014 1:43 PM ET USA
My own bishop was deeply mired in the scandals, and papers in the state were having a field day with the story. A friend and I arranged a tête–à–tête with him at the chancery and suggested point blank that he resign for the good of the Church, regardless of whether he agreed with the numerous allegations and rumors then current. Like Neinstedt, he too held on till the bitter end, his eventual retirement. The damage the pride of these men has done the Church beggars the imagination.
-
Posted by: unum -
May. 29, 2014 12:17 PM ET USA
I applaud the humility and honesty of Fr. Laird, but I can't say the same for the Bishop.
