Minn. archdiocese suggests dispute with sex abuse affidavit

Last updated on: July 17, 2014 at 7:10 pm by CNA Daily News

Minn. archdiocese suggests dispute with sex abuse affidavit 2014-07-17T19:10:00+00:00 CNA Daily News

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

Minneapolis, Minn., Jul 17, 2014 / 01:10 pm (CNA/EWTN News).- An auxiliary bishop of the Saint Paul-Minneapolis archdiocese says the affidavit of a former chancellor on the handling of sex abuse allegations is not necessarily consistent with the view of others involved.

“Her recollections are not always shared by others within the archdiocese,” Bishop Andrew Cozzens said July 15 of the affidavit filed by Jennifer Haselberger – who was chancellor of the archdiocese from 2008-2013.

Her sworn statement in a lawsuit concerning sexual abuse by a former priest was filed July 7, and charged that while she was employed there, the Saint Paul-Minneapolis archdiocese had a pattern of failing to deal appropriately with allegations made against clergy of sex abuse.

The lawsuit is filed by a man, known as Doe 1, who claims to have been abused as a minor by Thomas Adamson, then a priest, in 1976 and 1977. The suit had been filed against Adamson, as well as the Saint Paul-Minneapolis archdiocese and the Diocese of Winona.

Bishop Cozzens statement noted that the alleged abuse would have occurred “decades before Ms. Haselberger’s service to the archdiocese.”

Haselberger also served the archdiocese from 2004-2006 as a part of its tribunal. Her testimony states that when she raised concerns over sexual abuse allegations, she was dismissed and her suggestions ignored; she wrote, “my concerns were ignored, dismissed, or the emphasis was shifted to what was best for the priest involved.”

The bishop stated that her experience “highlights the importance of ongoing constructive dialogue and reform aimed at insuring the safety of children.”

“Since Ms. Haselberger’s departure, we have begun the implementation of the Safe Environment and Ministerial Standards Task Force Recommendations which address some of the concerns she has raised,” he added. “We continue to take concrete steps toward greater transparency and accountability in protecting children while offering hope and healing to victims.”

Haselberger had quit her role in the tribunal over concerns regarding the handling of sex abuse, returning after Archbishop John Nienstedt succeeded as the archdiocese's new head. She again left the chancery last spring, over the same issue.

A hearing in the lawsuit will be held Monday.

The court has already received depositions from Archbishop Nienstedt; Archbishop Emeritus Harry Flynn; and Archbishop Robert Carlson of Saint Louis, who was a priest of the Saint Paul-Minneapolis archdiocese from 1970 to 1983, and an auxiliary bishop there from 1983 until 1994.

In December, the judge in the case, John Van de North, ordered the archdiocese to submit a list of all priests accused of abusing minors since 2004, regardless of whether or not the accusations had been deemed credible.

Previous Post

July 17, 2014

Papal trip to Korea should renew local Churches, priest says

Next Post

July 17, 2014 Millions of African children orphaned by violence, AIDS

Browse Our Archives

Select a Category Americas Asia - Pacific Europe Middle East - Africa Uncategorized US Vatican

Select a Month November 2017 October 2017 September 2017 August 2017 July 2017 June 2017 May 2017 April 2017 March 2017 February 2017 January 2017 December 2016 November 2016 October 2016 September 2016 August 2016 July 2016 June 2016 May 2016 April 2016 March 2016 February 2016 January 2016 December 2015 November 2015 October 2015 September 2015 August 2015 July 2015 June 2015 May 2015 April 2015 March 2015 February 2015 January 2015 December 2014 November 2014 October 2014 September 2014 August 2014 July 2014 June 2014 May 2014 April 2014 March 2014 February 2014 January 2014 December 2013 November 2013 October 2013 September 2013 August 2013 July 2013 June 2013 May 2013 April 2013 March 2013 February 2013 January 2013 December 2012 November 2012 October 2012 September 2012 August 2012 July 2012 June 2012 May 2012

TAKE THE

Religious Wisdom Quiz

What was Paul's native language?

Select your answer to see how you score.

Greek Latin Aramaic Hebrew