From the Archdiocese:
Please pray for our Archbishop. He steps aside voluntarily, until the case is settled. Pray for the accuser as well.
Pray very much.
[I believe the Archbishop when he states: “I have never once engaged in any inappropriate contact with a minor and I have tried to the very best of my ability to serve this Archdiocese and the church faithfully, with honor and due regard for the rights of all, even those with whom I disagree.”]
Archbishop John Nienstedt is voluntarily stepping aside from all public ministry, effective immediately, while St. Paul Police investigate an allegation that he inappropriately touched a male minor on the buttocks in 2009 during a group photography session following a confirmation ceremony.
In a Dec. 17 letter to the faithful, Archbishop Nienstedt called the allegation “absolutely and entirely false.”
“I have never once engaged in any inappropriate contact with a minor and I have tried to the very best of my ability to serve this Archdiocese and the church faithfully, with honor and due regard for the rights of all, even those with whom I disagree,” he said.
“True, I am a sinner, but my sins do not include any kind of abuse of minors,” he said. “I have met victims and I know the lasting damage that such abuse causes.”
Auxiliary Bishop Lee Piché, in his role as a vicar general, will cover all of the archbishop’s public duties while the matter is being investigated, according to a statement from the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis. Father Charles Lachowitzer continues in his position as a vicar general and moderator of the curia.
The allegation of the single incident was brought to the police by a mandated reporter within the Church. Upon learning of the allegation last week, the archdiocese instructed the mandated reporter to make the matter known to the police. - Finish reading here.
Please pray for our Archbishop. He steps aside voluntarily, until the case is settled. Pray for the accuser as well.
Pray very much.
[I believe the Archbishop when he states: “I have never once engaged in any inappropriate contact with a minor and I have tried to the very best of my ability to serve this Archdiocese and the church faithfully, with honor and due regard for the rights of all, even those with whom I disagree.”]
On what basis do you accuse people of "retaliation?" There is no evidence of that. That's a pretty terrible accusation (as is the accusation against the archbishop if it is untrue. The courts will sort that out.)
ReplyDeleteIt's shameful what has gone on in that diocese, but it's shameful, too, to automatically accuse someone of "retaliation."
It is pretty clear that this is what is going on. Either that, or just plain ambulance chasing by the likes of Jeffy Anderson and his toadies at SNAP.
DeleteYou are right Thom - I removed it - I'm pretty devastated, so I reacted. Thanks for keeping an eye on me.
ReplyDeleteI understand completely. It seems like one thing after another for you guys up there. I'm very sorry.
DeleteThanks my friend.
ReplyDeletePrayers for all.
ReplyDeleteIt's easy as hell to accidentally touch someone in a group photo. If you were doing something inappropriate, would you do it at a public event???
ReplyDeleteI'm sorry but there is just now way that this is true. The Archbishop gratuitously grabbed someone during a photo op intentionally?????
ReplyDeleteI understand where Thom is coming from but this has bullshit written all over it.
I want my Bishop back.
ReplyDeleteMay God bless this Bishop, who has been faithful and courageous in the defense of marriage.
ReplyDeletehttp://veneremurcernui.wordpress.com/2013/12/17/whoa-archbishop-nienstedt-steps-down-weak-abuse-allegation/
Well, I am a suspicious being and one way to neutralize an orthodox bishop is to accuse him. Let's face it, these days the clergy don't have to be proved guilty, they have to prove themselves innocent.
ReplyDeleteMike Bayly and Mike Tedeger have begun their victory waltz together (I'm not sure who is leading though). Each is calling for His Excellency to step down, even if innocent. Nothing short of the Church blessing the ramming of a man's penis into another man's butthole will do for these guys.
ReplyDeleteBy the way, when it did become the ultimate crime to state that one finds buggery to be utterly repulsive? It says nothing about the persons being such (as Thom has called me in the past), but rather the act. I find the act repulsive, vile, and disgusting. It also happens to be gravely sinful.
ReplyDeleteWhy is the truth so hated? Because those who hate hearing such statements cannot separate who they are from what they do. We are not what we do. We are not "human doings" but rather "human beings." What you do with your crotch does not define who and what you are.
I also find the identification of a beautiful person, made in the Image and Likeness of God, as nothing more than one who likes to engage in a disgusting sexual act to be vile and degrading as well. The labels people place on themselves by what they do with their genitals is pure evil.
Hi Jericho - I'm not sure what you mean here but the issue concerns the Archbishop - what those who dislike him are saying regarding their hopes he will resign is their affair.
ReplyDeleteI recommend everyone pray for the Archbishop and his accuser. There is obviously some mistake and I'm confident the Archbishop is completely innocent.
He has shown himself to be very charitable and humble, doing everything he can to right things in the Archdiocese. He asked for forgiveness for problems not his own - as for this allegation, he will be exonerated.
He is the Archbishop God has blessed us with at this time - he is the best one to complete the task assigned to him. This has been allowed by God for some mysterious reason, his grace is at work - good will come from it.
Please, pray for the Church - just pray and forgive.
Thanks.
Beautifully said, Terry!
ReplyDeleteTo whom it may concern:
ReplyDeleteI re-opened comments. I originally closed them because of uncharitable comments made against other 'guests'. (That is what we are in the combox of personal blogs.) Please remember to respect the dignity of others. Likewise, avoid attempting to 'shame' others you disagree with. That is uncharitable and I will remove such comments.
Thank you.