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Archdiocese was warned of priest's correspondence with a possible minor

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.
by Tom Scheck and Madeleine Baran

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Woman files sexual abuse lawsuit against St. Thomas priest and professor

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.
by Madeleine Baran

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At Sunday Mass, Catholics react to archdiocese investigations

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.
by Rupa Shenoy

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University of St. Thomas priest takes leave of absence, says archdiocese

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.
by Madeleine Baran

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Senate gets a scolding with its morning prayer

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.

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Pope names auxiliary bishop for St. Paul and Minneapolis

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.
by Mike Cronin

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New church task force on clergy abuse begins its work

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.
by Rupa Shenoy

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For an abusive priest, retirement income came with a premium

For an abusive priest, retirement income came with a premium

The former accounting director of the Twin Cities archdiocese said recently that several accused priests receive pension payments higher than normal. Another former church official discovered them, too, over the past few years and had them stopped. The archdiocese says church law requires that offending priests must have 'financial, therapeutic and spiritual support.' The Rev. Robert Kapoun is one of them.

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