ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) — The Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis said Friday it is delaying the release of the names of some priests who have sexually abused children until at least next month.
Archbishop John Nienstedt had said he would disclose the names, locations and status of the men in November with “permission of the relevant court.”
The archdiocese said a protective order has been in place in Ramsey County District Court since 2009 related to the disclosure.
On Friday, the archdiocese said it just learned that a meeting with a Ramsey County judge has now been scheduled for Dec. 2. The archdiocese said the need for court approval will delay its schedule for disclosure. But the archdiocese said it’s prepared to release information once the judge approves the plan.
“Sharing information about clergy who have substantiated claims of sexually abusing minors is a critical element of Archbishop Nienstedt’s commitment to strengthening archdiocesan procedures so that victims can begin to heal and to ensure the safety of minors in our care,” the archdiocese said in a statement.
Nienstedt has said the names will be limited to those priests who live in the archdiocese and who have what church officials deem to be substantiated claims of abuse against them.
The archbishop has been under fire over allegations that he and others mishandled cases of clergy sexual misconduct.
Attorneys for victims of sexual abuse repeatedly have asked the church to release a list of 33 priests whom the archdiocese deemed to have been credibly accused — including some who have died.
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