Archdiocese in court over naming accused priests

Archbishop John Nienstedt
Archbishop John Nienstedt.
MPR Photo/Jennifer Simonson

The Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis is seeking a court's permission to disclose the names of some priests who have been accused of sexually abusing minors.

Archbishop John Nienstedt says he will disclose the names, locations and status of all living archdiocesan priests who have substantiated claims of sexual abuse against them, regardless of where they currently reside.

• More: Archdiocese under scrutiny

The archdiocese said it needs to wait until after the Dec. 2 hearing in Ramsey County District Court because it does not believe it can release the names without a judge's order.

Nienstedt says he needs a court's permission because the list is under a protective order. Attorneys for victims of abuse say the archdiocese doesn't need permission to release its own information. A hearing is scheduled for Monday.

In 2004, the archdiocese compiled a list of 33 priests deemed to have credible accusations against them. It's not clear how many names Nienstedt would release, or whether they've already been made public.

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