Minnesota dioceses settle contentious abuse suit, agree to 'child protection plan'

October 13, 2014

Diocesan officials in Minnesota have agreed to settle a lawsuit in which victims of sexual abuse made the novel argument that Church leaders had created a "public nuisance" by neglecting to inform parishioners about an abusive priest.

Under the terms of the settlement, the Archdiocese of St. Paul and the Diocese of Winona agreed to involve victims in creating a "child protection plan" and to provide victims' lawyers with files of priests accused of abuse.

Jeffrey Anderson, the lead attorney for plaintiffs in the case and a veteran of scores of suits against Catholic dioceses, hailed the agreement at an October 13 press conference. "We've forged a new way," he said.

Bishop Andrew Cozzens, an auxiliary of the St. Paul archdiocese, also attended the news conference and welcomed the accord. He said that Archbishop John Nienstedt wished to attend the event but was traveling in Africa. Archbishop Nienstedt has been the primary target of criticism by critics of the Church during the public debates over the lawsuit.

 

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Further information:

• Landmark suit against St. Paul-Minneapolis Archdiocese is settled (Star-Tribune)
• Judge OKs settlement in Minn. church abuse case (AP)