Religion and Faith

Archdiocese was warned of priest's correspondence with a possible minor
In a letter to then-vicar general Kevin McDonough, parishioner Kate Ternus described her concerns about the contents of the Rev. Jon Shelley's computer. Her family received Shelley's used computer in 2004, and the archdiocese later determined it contained "borderline illegal" pornography. The letter dated Sept. 17, 2004 mentions a local Catholic high school and could indicate for the first time that Shelley's behavior may have gone beyond pornography.
Woman files sexual abuse lawsuit against St. Thomas priest and professor
The complaint alleges the Rev. Michael Keating "engaged in multiple instances of unpermitted, harmful, and offensive sexual contact" from 1997 to 2000 while he was a student at St. Paul Seminary. The Chisago County Sheriff's Office investigated the allegations in 2006 and closed the case without criminal charges. That same year, the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis conducted its own investigation and recommended restrictions to Keating's ministry, but concluded there was insufficient evidence to indicate sexual abuse of a minor. Keating did not respond to an interview request.
Reports of possible cover-ups and extra payments to clergy suspected of sexual misconduct have put the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis under intense scrutiny in recent weeks. We spoke with some Catholics at Mass on Sunday about their reaction to the news.
University of St. Thomas priest takes leave of absence, says archdiocese
The Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis said today in a memo to all clergy that the Rev. Michael Keating, a popular speaker and professor at the University of St. Thomas, has taken a leave of absence.
Barry C. Black, the Senate chaplain, has been using his morning prayers to say exactly what he thinks is wrong with Washington lawmakers: "Remove from them that stubborn pride, which imagines itself to be above and beyond criticism." A retired rear admiral who often sports a bow tie, Black became the Senate's first African-American chaplain when he took the job 10 years ago.
Pope names auxiliary bishop for St. Paul and Minneapolis
The archdiocese previously only had a single auxiliary bishop, Lee Piche. The Vatican didn't say why it was appointing Cozzens or what role Piche may have going forward.
New church task force on clergy abuse begins its work
A task force created by the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis to investigate clergy misconduct includes a psychologist who works on sex offender management, a computer forensics expert and a former St. Paul police sergeant. Members say their work will be independent of the archdiocese they're investigating.