Pope Francis has announced administrative actions against a Twin Cities archbishop who resigned after being accused of inappropriate conduct with both minors and adults.
Archbishop John Nienstedt stepped down in 2013 and officially retired in 2015, but Friday the Vatican announced that he will no longer be able to live in, or practice any ministries in Minnesota or the Dakotas.
While they say the specific allegations of sexual impropriety were unfounded, there is enough evidence to suggest that Neinstadt engaged in inappropriate action surrounding the investigations.
"Since I arrived in this Archdiocese in 2015, I have often been asked for clarification on the status of my predecessor, Archbishop John Nienstedt, who had been under investigation for certain decisions made during his tenure as Archbishop and also regarding allegations of inappropriate conduct with both minors and adults," said current Archbishop Bernard Hebda in a statement. "I have made public statements in this regard previously in August 2016 and December 2018, indicating that the questions necessitated a determination by officials of the Holy See. Archbishop Nienstedt himself also stated publicly that he would welcome an investigation to resolve the allegations, which he has denied."
The Archbishop goes on to say that individuals here in the Archdiocese, including the late Tom Johnson, a former Hennepin County Attorney and later Ombudsperson for the Archdiocese, the allegations against Archbishop Nienstedt were thoroughly investigated by officials outside of the Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis.
"The available evidence did not support a finding that Archbishop Nienstedt had committed any canonical delict (crime)," says Hebda. "Accordingly, the allegations against Archbishop Nienstedt were deemed unfounded. Though the evidence available did not support a finding that any conduct on the part of Archbishop Nienstedt could be judged as a delict, it was communicated to me that several instances of “imprudent” actions were brought to light."
Vatican conditions:
- Archbishop Nienstedt may not exercise any public ministries in the Province of Saint Paul and Minneapolis (the Province covers all of Minnesota, North Dakota, and South Dakota).
- He may not reside in the Province of Saint Paul and Minneapolis.
- He may not exercise ministry in any way outside of his diocese of residence without the express authorization of the attendant Ordinary and only after the Dicastery for Bishops has been informed.
Later on Friday, Niestadt released his own statement, which reads:
“Seven years ago, I submitted my resignation as Archbishop of Saint Paul and Minneapolis in order to give the Archdiocese a new beginning amidst the many challenges we faced at that time. My leadership had unfortunately drawn attention away from the good works of Christ’s Church and those who performed them. Thus, my decision to step aside.
Since then, I have fully cooperated with any investigation into allegations made against me and I have answered every question asked of me honestly and to the best of my recollection.
I was recently informed that the Vos estis (investigation) by Dicasteries for Bishops and for the Doctrine of the Faith has been completed and that the Holy See determined that the available evidence did not support a finding that I had committed any canonical delict (crime) and deemed the allegations against me unfounded. I have asked the Holy See, through my canonical advocate, to clarify the “imprudent” actions I allegedly committed while in Minnesota.
I will heed the direction given to me by the Holy Father, which I have been following for the past seven years. I am retired now so my ministry will continue to be limited. I am sorry for any pain experienced by anyone because of the allegations against me, and ask for your prayers for their healing. I also ask for continued prayers for the well-being of the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis and its leaders.”