exclamation

Important notice: To continue serving our valued readers during the postal disruption, complete unrestricted access to the digital edition is available at no extra cost. This will ensure uninterrupted digital access to your copies. Click here to view the digital edition, or learn more.

Subscribe to this RSS feed
September 6, 2018

Minnesota auxiliary: Archbishop Nienstedt internal inquiry was 'doomed to fail'

Then-Archbishop John C. Nienstedt, right, addresses the media alongside then-Auxiliary Bishop Lee A. Piche at a 2015 news conference announcing that the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis had filed for Chapter 11 Reorganization. in January 2014, Archbishop Nienstedt, then the leader of the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis, charged his subordinates with investigating allegations of sexual misconduct that had been made against him.
MINNEAPOLIS – Auxiliary Bishop Andrew H. Cozzens of St. Paul and Minneapolis said the Catholic Church "desperately needs an independent structure, led by experienced lay personnel, to investigate and review allegations made against bishops, archbishops and cardinals" in an Aug. 31 statement.
Published in International
July 22, 2017

After protests over Satanic memorial, city nixes all religious symbols

Sisters Shirley Citrowski and Carol Speich pause to look at a monument of a soldier at Veterans Memorial Park in Belle Plaine, Minn., June 9. A proposed monument that Massachusetts-based Satanic Temple wants to install in the park has roiled some members of the community, including the two women religious, who were born and raised in Belle Plaine but now live elsewhere.

BELLE PLAINE, Minn. – Two days after hundreds of people – many of them Catholic – from around the country descended on Belle Plaine to protest the installation of a Satanic memorial in the city's veterans park, the City Council voted unanimously July 17 to nix all religious symbols there.

Published in International
May 12, 2017

Minnesota bishop denies coercing abuse victim from reporting allegation

In a statement May 9, Bishop Michael J. Hoeppner of Crookston denied coercing abuse victims from reporting claims of sexual abuse against a priest of his diocese.

ST. PAUL, Minn. – Bishop Michael J. Hoeppner of Crookston "categorically denies that he in any way forced, coerced or encouraged" a candidate for the permanent diaconate not to report his claim of sexual abuse against a priest of the diocese, the Diocese of Crookston stated May 9.

Published in International
March 25, 2017

Family trumps fear for Minnesota refugee served by Catholic Charities

People march in support of immigrants and refugees in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Since 2007, Minnesota has resettled more than 20,700 refugees.

MINNEAPOLIS – Suad Gele didn't know about the incoming U.S. president – or his proposed policies' potential impact on immigrants and refugees – when she came to the United States as a refugee in December 2016.

Published in International
March 7, 2017

Minnesota diocese, facing 100-plus sex abuse lawsuits, files for bankruptcy

The Diocese of New Ulm filed for bankruptcy March 3 as it faces over one hundred lawsuits concerning sex abuse dating back to the 1950s.

MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. – Facing over one hundred lawsuits concerning sex abuse claims dating back to the 1950s, the Diocese of New Ulm has filed for bankruptcy and plans a reorganization.

Published in International
July 11, 2016

Pray for healing of community divisions, archbishop says in response to police shooting death

Deacon Phil Stewart looks on as Archbishop Bernard A. Hebda of St. Paul and Minneapolis reads a prayer during a July 8 Mass for peace and justice at the Cathedral of St. Paul. The Mass was offered in response to the July 6 shooting death of St. Paul, Minn., resident Philando Castile by a police officer.

ST. PAUL, Minn. – Archbishop Bernard A. Hebda of St. Paul and Minneapolis focused on the need for unity and healing in the Twin Cities and country during a Mass for peace and justice July 8.

Published in International
June 15, 2015

Pope accepts resignations of St. Paul archbishop, auxiliary

Pope Francis has accepted the resignation of Archbishop John C. Nienstedt and Auxiliary Bishop Lee A. Piche of St. Paul and Minneapolis. They are pictured in a combination photo. On June 5 the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis was criminally charged with failing to protect children.

ST. PAUL, Minn. - Pope Francis accepted the resignations June 15 of Archbishop John C. Nienstedt and Auxiliary Bishop Lee A. Piche of St. Paul and Minneapolis and named coadjutor Archbishop Bernard A. Hebda of Newark, New Jersey, a canon lawyer, to be apostolic administrator of the Minnesota archdiocese.

Published in International