Child sex abuse scandal causes Archbishop to step down

'A very regrettable circumstance of Archbishop Nienstedt's presence within our community has been anger and fear.'

Archbishop John Nienstedt was meant to assist Father John Sleckenstein for six months to complete projects for the Diocese of Kalamazoo, but was forced to withdraw when members of the parish began to question his background.

LOS ANGELES, CA (Catholic Online) - According to the Catholic Herald, Archbishop John Nienstedt resigned as the head of the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis in June after the Ramsey County Attorney's Office filed charges against the archdiocese claiming a boy had not been properly protected by a former priest.

When Archbishop Nienstedt resigned, he stated his "leadership ha[d] unfortunately drawn away from the good works of (Christ's) Church and those who perform them."

MPR News reported Archbishop Nienstedt told parishioners and reporters at Our Lady of Grace parish in Edina, that when he became archbishop he understood clergy sex abuse had already been dealt with.

"Unfortunately I believed that and so my biggest apology today, and I did this last week at two other parishes, is to say I overlooked this. I should have investigated it more than I did."

When Archbishop Nienstedt stepped down, Bishop Piche also removed himself and both men cited their need to resign so the archdiocese could begin the healing process.

When Father Fleckenstein, who has known Archbishop Nienstedt over twenty years, announced his friend would be joining the parish on a temporary basis, Survivors Network of Those Abused by Priests (SNAP) began to publicly call an alarm on criminal and civil charges against Archbishop Nienstedt. 

He was accused of touching a boy's bottom during a group photograph in 2009. Archbishop Nienstedt was investigated and it was discovered he was innocent, but the accusation alone sent the parish into a flurry of concerns.

Though he was guilty of no crime, Archbishop humbly removed himself from the diocese. 

Father Fleckenstein wrote a letter on January 21 to say: "After discussion with the archbishop conveying the expressed concerns by the faithful people of our community, he offered to withdraw from the diocese and I agreed. Archbishop Nienstedt has a deep concern for the Church, and in light of the unintended discord that his presence was causing, he decided that this would be the best course of action so the Church can remain focused on its mission.

"A very regrettable circumstance of Archbishop Nienstedt's presence within our community has been anger and fear. I'm proud of the good works of our parishes and our Catholic schools as well as our valuable place in our community. I wish for us to continue growing and striving.

"My hope is that we can move forward together. I know many of you do as well." Father Fleckenstein added that Archbishop Nienstedt "shared with me the deep gratitude he has for the hospitality he received from so many of our parishioners [sic]."

In another letter published the same day, Bishop Paul Bradley of Kalamazoo wrote to his diocese to apologize "for the hurt this situation has caused and the fears that have been raised."

He continued, saying: "It would never be my intention to bring harm to our beloved local Church. While I am personally convinced that at no time was anyone in danger, I acknowledge the concerns expressed.

"I pray that with this matter now resolved, we will all be able to move forward. I want to regain your trust where that has been damaged or lost, and continue to strengthen our local Church here in the Diocese of Kalamazoo."

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