");vwo_$('head').append(_vwo_sel);return vwo_$('head')[0] && vwo_$('head')[0].lastChild;})("HEAD")}}, R_940895_48_1_2_0:{ fn:function(log,nonce=''){return (function(x) { if(!vwo_$.fn.vwoRevertHtml){ return; }; var ctx=vwo_$(x),el; /*vwo_debug log("Revert","content",""); vwo_debug*/; el=vwo_$('[vwo-element-id="1742919897117"]'); el.revertContentOp().remove();})("HEAD")}}, C_940895_48_1_2_1:{ fn:function(log,nonce=''){return (function(x) {var el,ctx=vwo_$(x); /*vwo_debug log("editElement",".stylingblock-content-margin-cell > table:nth-of-type(1) > tbody:nth-of-type(1) > tr:nth-of-type(1) > td:nth-of-type(1) > div:nth-of-type(1) > div:nth-of-type(1) > h2:nth-of-type(1) > span:nth-of-type(1)"); vwo_debug*/(el=vwo_$(".stylingblock-content-margin-cell > table:nth-of-type(1) > tbody:nth-of-type(1) > tr:nth-of-type(1) > td:nth-of-type(1) > div:nth-of-type(1) > div:nth-of-type(1) > h2:nth-of-type(1) > span:nth-of-type(1)")).html("Hello! David Brancaccio here. Do you want instant access to the free online course - “Economics 101” - to understand basic economic concepts?");})(".stylingblock-content-margin-cell > table:nth-of-type(1) > tbody:nth-of-type(1) > tr:nth-of-type(1) > td:nth-of-type(1) > div:nth-of-type(1) > div:nth-of-type(1) > h2:nth-of-type(1) > span:nth-of-type(1)")}}, R_940895_48_1_2_1:{ fn:function(log,nonce=''){return (function(x) { if(!vwo_$.fn.vwoRevertHtml){ return; }; var el,ctx=vwo_$(x); /*vwo_debug log("Revert","editElement",".stylingblock-content-margin-cell > table:nth-of-type(1) > tbody:nth-of-type(1) > tr:nth-of-type(1) > td:nth-of-type(1) > div:nth-of-type(1) > div:nth-of-type(1) > h2:nth-of-type(1) > span:nth-of-type(1)"); vwo_debug*/(el=vwo_$(".stylingblock-content-margin-cell > table:nth-of-type(1) > tbody:nth-of-type(1) > tr:nth-of-type(1) > td:nth-of-type(1) > div:nth-of-type(1) > div:nth-of-type(1) > h2:nth-of-type(1) > span:nth-of-type(1)")).vwoRevertHtml();})(".stylingblock-content-margin-cell > table:nth-of-type(1) > tbody:nth-of-type(1) > tr:nth-of-type(1) > td:nth-of-type(1) > div:nth-of-type(1) > div:nth-of-type(1) > h2:nth-of-type(1) > span:nth-of-type(1)")}}, C_940895_48_1_2_2:{ fn:function(log,nonce=''){return (function(x) {var el,ctx=vwo_$(x); /*vwo_debug log("content","[vwo-element-id='1742482566780']"); vwo_debug*/(el=vwo_$("[vwo-element-id='1742482566780']")).replaceWith2("You'll gain real-world insights into how economics impacts your daily life with this easy-to-follow online course. This crash course is based on the acclaimed textbook Economy, Society, and Public Policy by CORE Econ, tailored to help you grasp key concepts without feeling overwhelmed.

Whether you're new to economics or just want to deepen your understanding, this course covers the basics and connects them to today’s pressing issues—from inequality to public policy decisions.

Each week, you'll receive a reading guide that distills core principles, offers actionable takeaways, and explains how they affect the current world. While the full ebook enriches the experience, the guides alone provide a comprehensive understanding of fundamental economic ideas.

You’ll find this course especially useful and unique because…
"),el=vwo_$("[vwo-element-id='1742482566780']");})("[vwo-element-id='1742482566780']")}}, R_940895_48_1_2_2:{ fn:function(log,nonce=''){return (function(x) { if(!vwo_$.fn.vwoRevertHtml){ return; }; var el,ctx=vwo_$(x); /*vwo_debug log("Revert","content","[vwo-element-id='1742482566780']"); vwo_debug*/(el=vwo_$("[vwo-element-id='1742482566780']")).revertContentOp(),el=vwo_$("[vwo-element-id='1742482566780']");})("[vwo-element-id='1742482566780']")}}, C_940895_48_1_2_3:{ fn:function(log,nonce=''){return (function(x) {var el,ctx=vwo_$(x); /*vwo_debug log("content",".stylingblock-content-margin-cell > table:nth-of-type(1) > tbody:nth-of-type(1) > tr:nth-of-type(1) > td:nth-of-type(1) > div:nth-of-type(1) > div:nth-of-type(1) > div:nth-of-type(1)"); vwo_debug*/(el=vwo_$(".stylingblock-content-margin-cell > table:nth-of-type(1) > tbody:nth-of-type(1) > tr:nth-of-type(1) > td:nth-of-type(1) > div:nth-of-type(1) > div:nth-of-type(1) > div:nth-of-type(1)")).replaceWith2("
You'll gain real-world insights into how economics impacts your daily life with this easy-to-follow online course. This crash course is based on the acclaimed textbook Economy, Society, and Public Policy by CORE Econ, tailored to help you grasp key concepts without feeling overwhelmed.

Whether you're new to economics or just want to deepen your understanding, this course covers the basics and connects them to today’s pressing issues—from inequality to public policy decisions.

Each week, you'll receive a reading guide that distills core principles, offers actionable takeaways, and explains how they affect the current world. While the full ebook enriches the experience, the guides alone provide a comprehensive understanding of fundamental economic ideas.

You’ll find this course especially useful and unique because…
Are you ready to build a foundation in economics that empowers you to think critically about the world around you?

Get instant access today and keep an eye on your inbox for a confirmation email and your first lesson.
 
"),el=vwo_$(".stylingblock-content-margin-cell > table:nth-of-type(1) > tbody:nth-of-type(1) > tr:nth-of-type(1) > td:nth-of-type(1) > div:nth-of-type(1) > div:nth-of-type(1) > div:nth-of-type(1)");})(".stylingblock-content-margin-cell > table:nth-of-type(1) > tbody:nth-of-type(1) > tr:nth-of-type(1) > td:nth-of-type(1) > div:nth-of-type(1) > div:nth-of-type(1) > div:nth-of-type(1)")}}, C_940895_64_1_2_0:{ fn:function(log,nonce=''){return (function(x) {var el,ctx=vwo_$(x); /*vwo_debug log("content","#tfa_134-L > b:nth-of-type(1)"); vwo_debug*/el=vwo_$("#tfa_134-L > b:nth-of-type(1)"),vwo_$("#tfa_134-L > b:nth-of-type(1)").each((function(){this.__vwoControlOuterHTML=this.__vwoControlOuterHTML||this.outerHTML,vwo_$(this).vwoAttr("class",""),!vwo_$(this).find('[vwo-op-1742933835357-1=""]').length&&vwo_$(this).append('(Optional)'),vwo_$(this).nonEmptyContents().eq(0).replaceWith2(document.createTextNode("In your own words, why would an Marketplace listener choose to become an donor? "))})),el=vwo_$("#tfa_134-L > b:nth-of-type(1)");})("#tfa_134-L > b:nth-of-type(1)")}}, R_940895_64_1_2_0:{ fn:function(log,nonce=''){return (function(x) { if(!vwo_$.fn.vwoRevertHtml){ return; }; var el,ctx=vwo_$(x); /*vwo_debug log("Revert","content","#tfa_134-L > b:nth-of-type(1)"); vwo_debug*/(el=vwo_$("#tfa_134-L > b:nth-of-type(1)")).revertContentOp(),el=vwo_$("#tfa_134-L > b:nth-of-type(1)");})("#tfa_134-L > b:nth-of-type(1)")}}},rules:[{"triggers":["10589191"],"tags":[{"id":"runCampaign","priority":4,"data":"campaigns.62"},{"id":"runCampaign","priority":4,"data":"campaigns.63"},{"id":"runCampaign","priority":4,"data":"campaigns.16"},{"id":"runCampaign","priority":4,"data":"campaigns.48"},{"id":"runCampaign","priority":4,"data":"campaigns.64"}]},{"triggers":["12454062"],"tags":[{"id":"metric","metricId":0,"data":{"type":"g","campaigns":[{"g":7,"c":39}]}}]},{"triggers":["8459768"],"tags":[{"id":"metric","metricId":951905,"data":{"type":"m","campaigns":[{"g":4,"c":39}]}},{"id":"metric","data":{"type":"m","campaigns":[{"g":5,"c":62}]},"metricId":951905},{"id":"metric","data":{"type":"m","campaigns":[{"g":5,"c":63}]},"metricId":951905},{"id":"metric","data":{"type":"m","campaigns":[{"g":2,"c":16}]},"metricId":951905},{"id":"metric","data":{"type":"m","campaigns":[{"g":5,"c":65}]},"metricId":951905},{"id":"metric","data":{"type":"m","campaigns":[{"g":2,"c":48}]},"metricId":951905},{"id":"metric","data":{"type":"m","campaigns":[{"g":5,"c":64}]},"metricId":951905}]},{"triggers":["8639604"],"tags":[{"id":"metric","metricId":951908,"data":{"type":"m","campaigns":[{"g":4,"c":62}]}},{"id":"metric","data":{"type":"m","campaigns":[{"g":1,"c":63}]},"metricId":951908},{"id":"metric","data":{"type":"m","campaigns":[{"g":6,"c":16}]},"metricId":951908},{"id":"metric","data":{"type":"m","campaigns":[{"g":1,"c":65}]},"metricId":951908},{"id":"metric","data":{"type":"m","campaigns":[{"g":1,"c":48}]},"metricId":951908},{"id":"metric","data":{"type":"m","campaigns":[{"g":1,"c":64}]},"metricId":951908}]},{"triggers":["12928443"],"tags":[{"id":"runCampaign","priority":0,"data":"campaigns.65"}]},{"triggers":["12454056"],"tags":[{"id":"metric","metricId":0,"data":{"type":"g","campaigns":[{"g":5,"c":39}]}}]},{"triggers":["12454053"],"tags":[{"id":"runCampaign","priority":4,"data":"campaigns.39"}]},{"triggers":["12639747"],"tags":[{"id":"metric","metricId":0,"data":{"type":"g","campaigns":[{"g":5,"c":16}]}}]},{"triggers":["8536412"],"tags":[{"id":"metric","metricId":959030,"data":{"type":"m","campaigns":[{"g":1,"c":39}]}},{"id":"metric","data":{"type":"m","campaigns":[{"g":2,"c":62}]},"metricId":959030},{"id":"metric","data":{"type":"m","campaigns":[{"g":3,"c":63}]},"metricId":959030},{"id":"metric","data":{"type":"m","campaigns":[{"g":4,"c":16}]},"metricId":959030},{"id":"metric","data":{"type":"m","campaigns":[{"g":3,"c":65}]},"metricId":959030},{"id":"metric","data":{"type":"m","campaigns":[{"g":4,"c":48}]},"metricId":959030},{"id":"metric","data":{"type":"m","campaigns":[{"g":3,"c":64}]},"metricId":959030}]},{"triggers":["12454059"],"tags":[{"id":"metric","metricId":0,"data":{"type":"g","campaigns":[{"g":6,"c":39}]}}]},{"triggers":["8536415"],"tags":[{"id":"metric","metricId":959033,"data":{"type":"m","campaigns":[{"g":2,"c":39}]}},{"id":"metric","data":{"type":"m","campaigns":[{"g":1,"c":62}]},"metricId":959033},{"id":"metric","data":{"type":"m","campaigns":[{"g":2,"c":63}]},"metricId":959033},{"id":"metric","data":{"type":"m","campaigns":[{"g":3,"c":16}]},"metricId":959033},{"id":"metric","data":{"type":"m","campaigns":[{"g":2,"c":65}]},"metricId":959033},{"id":"metric","data":{"type":"m","campaigns":[{"g":3,"c":48}]},"metricId":959033},{"id":"metric","data":{"type":"m","campaigns":[{"g":2,"c":64}]},"metricId":959033}]},{"triggers":["8536409"],"tags":[{"id":"metric","metricId":959027,"data":{"type":"m","campaigns":[{"g":3,"c":39}]}},{"id":"metric","data":{"type":"m","campaigns":[{"g":3,"c":62}]},"metricId":959027},{"id":"metric","data":{"type":"m","campaigns":[{"g":4,"c":63}]},"metricId":959027},{"id":"metric","data":{"type":"m","campaigns":[{"g":1,"c":16}]},"metricId":959027},{"id":"metric","data":{"type":"m","campaigns":[{"g":4,"c":65}]},"metricId":959027},{"id":"metric","data":{"type":"m","campaigns":[{"g":5,"c":48}]},"metricId":959027},{"id":"metric","data":{"type":"m","campaigns":[{"g":4,"c":64}]},"metricId":959027}]},{"triggers":["8"],"tags":[{"id":"prePostMutation","priority":3},{"id":"groupCampaigns","priority":2}]},{"triggers":["9"],"tags":[{"id":"visibilityService","priority":2}]},{"triggers":["2"],"tags":[{"id":"runTestCampaign"}]},{"triggers":["75"],"tags":[{"id":"urlChange"}]},{"triggers":["5"],"tags":[{"id":"checkEnvironment"}]}],pages:{"pc":[{"141375":{"inc":["o",["url","urlReg","(?i)^https?\\:\\\/\\\/(w{3}\\.)?mprnews\\.org\\\/story.*"],["url","urlReg","(?i)^https?\\:\\\/\\\/(w{3}\\.)?mprnews\\.org\\\/episode.*"]]}}],"ec":[{"1625289":{"inc":["o",["url","urlReg","(?i).*"]]}},{"2121531":{"inc":["o",["pg","eq","141375"]]}}]},pagesEval:{"pc":[141375],"ec":[1625289,2121531]},stags:{}}})(); ;;var commonWrapper=function(argument){if(!argument){argument={valuesGetter:function(){return{}},valuesSetter:function(){},verifyData:function(){return{}}}}const getVisitorUuid=function(){if(window._vwo_acc_id>=1037725){return window.VWO&&window.VWO.get("visitor.id")}else{return window.VWO._&&window.VWO._.cookies&&window.VWO._.cookies.get("_vwo_uuid")}};var pollInterval=100;var timeout=6e4;return function(){var accountIntegrationSettings={};var _interval=null;function waitForAnalyticsVariables(){try{accountIntegrationSettings=argument.valuesGetter();accountIntegrationSettings.visitorUuid=getVisitorUuid()}catch(error){accountIntegrationSettings=undefined}if(accountIntegrationSettings&&argument.verifyData(accountIntegrationSettings)){argument.valuesSetter(accountIntegrationSettings);return 1}return 0}var currentTime=0;_interval=setInterval((function(){currentTime=currentTime||performance.now();var result=waitForAnalyticsVariables();if(result||performance.now()-currentTime>=timeout){clearInterval(_interval)}}),pollInterval)}}; var pushBasedCommonWrapper=function(argument){var firedCamp={};if(!argument){argument={integrationName:"",getExperimentList:function(){},accountSettings:function(){},pushData:function(){}}}return function(){window.VWO=window.VWO||[];const getVisitorUuid=function(){if(window._vwo_acc_id>=1037725){return window.VWO&&window.VWO.get("visitor.id")}else{return window.VWO._&&window.VWO._.cookies&&window.VWO._.cookies.get("_vwo_uuid")}};var sendDebugLogsOld=function(expId,variationId,errorType,user_type,data){try{var errorPayload={f:argument["integrationName"]||"",a:window._vwo_acc_id,url:window.location.href,exp:expId,v:variationId,vwo_uuid:getVisitorUuid(),user_type:user_type};if(errorType=="initIntegrationCallback"){errorPayload["log_type"]="initIntegrationCallback";errorPayload["data"]=JSON.stringify(data||"")}else if(errorType=="timeout"){errorPayload["timeout"]=true}if(window.VWO._.customError){window.VWO._.customError({msg:"integration debug",url:window.location.href,lineno:"",colno:"",source:JSON.stringify(errorPayload)})}}catch(e){window.VWO._.customError&&window.VWO._.customError({msg:"integration debug failed",url:"",lineno:"",colno:"",source:""})}};var sendDebugLogs=function(expId,variationId,errorType,user_type){var eventName="vwo_debugLogs";var eventPayload={};try{eventPayload={intName:argument["integrationName"]||"",varId:variationId,expId:expId,type:errorType,vwo_uuid:getVisitorUuid(),user_type:user_type};if(window.VWO._.event){window.VWO._.event(eventName,eventPayload,{enableLogs:1})}}catch(e){eventPayload={msg:"integration event log failed",url:window.location.href};window.VWO._.event&&window.VWO._.event(eventName,eventPayload)}};const callbackFn=function(data){if(!data)return;var expId=data[1],variationId=data[2],repeated=data[0],singleCall=0,debug=0;var experimentList=argument.getExperimentList();var integrationName=argument["integrationName"]||"vwo";if(typeof argument.accountSettings==="function"){var accountSettings=argument.accountSettings();if(accountSettings){singleCall=accountSettings["singleCall"];debug=accountSettings["debug"]}}if(debug){sendDebugLogs(expId,variationId,"intCallTriggered",repeated)}if(singleCall&&(repeated==="vS"||repeated==="vSS")||firedCamp[expId]){return}window.expList=window.expList||{};var expList=window.expList[integrationName]=window.expList[integrationName]||[];if(expId&&variationId&&["VISUAL_AB","VISUAL","SPLIT_URL"].indexOf(_vwo_exp[expId].type)>-1){if(experimentList.indexOf(+expId)!==-1){firedCamp[expId]=variationId;var visitorUuid=getVisitorUuid();var pollInterval=100;var currentTime=0;var timeout=6e4;var user_type=_vwo_exp[expId].exec?"vwo-retry":"vwo-new";var interval=setInterval((function(){if(expList.indexOf(expId)!==-1){clearInterval(interval);return}currentTime=currentTime||performance.now();var toClearInterval=argument.pushData(expId,variationId,visitorUuid);if(debug&&toClearInterval){sendDebugLogsOld(expId,variationId,"",user_type);sendDebugLogs(expId,variationId,"intDataPushed",user_type)}var isTimeout=performance.now()-currentTime>=timeout;if(isTimeout&&debug){sendDebugLogsOld(expId,variationId,"timeout",user_type);sendDebugLogs(expId,variationId,"intTimeout",user_type)}if(toClearInterval||isTimeout){clearInterval(interval)}if(toClearInterval){window.expList[integrationName].push(expId)}}),pollInterval||100)}}};window.VWO.push(["onVariationApplied",callbackFn]);window.VWO.push(["onVariationShownSent",callbackFn])}}; var surveyDataCommonWrapper=function(argument){if(!argument){argument={getCampaignList:function(){return[]},surveyStatusChange:function(){},answerSubmitted:function(){}}}return function(){window.VWO=window.VWO||[];function getValuesFromAnswers(answers){var values=[];for(var i=0;i=timeout;if(toClearInterval||isTimeout){clearInterval(interval)}}),pollInterval)}}window.VWO.push(["onSurveyShown",function(data){commonSurveyCallback(data,argument.surveyStatusChange,"surveyShown")}]);window.VWO.push(["onSurveyCompleted",function(data){commonSurveyCallback(data,argument.surveyStatusChange,"surveyCompleted")}]);window.VWO.push(["onSurveyAnswerSubmitted",function(data){commonSurveyCallback(data,argument.answerSubmitted,"surveySubmitted")}])}}; (function(){var VWOOmniTemp={};window.VWOOmni=window.VWOOmni||{};for(var key in VWOOmniTemp)Object.prototype.hasOwnProperty.call(VWOOmniTemp,key)&&(window.VWOOmni[key]=VWOOmniTemp[key]);;})();(function(){window.VWO=window.VWO||[];var pollInterval=100;var _vis_data={};var intervalObj={};var analyticsTimerObj={};var experimentListObj={};window.VWO.push(["onVariationApplied",function(data){if(!data){return}var expId=data[1],variationId=data[2];if(expId&&variationId&&["VISUAL_AB","VISUAL","SPLIT_URL"].indexOf(window._vwo_exp[expId].type)>-1){}}])})();; ;var vD=VWO.data||{};VWO.data={content:{"fns":{"list":{"vn":1,"args":{"1":{}}}}},as:"r6.visualwebsiteoptimizer.com",dacdnUrl:"https://dev.visualwebsiteoptimizer.com",accountJSInfo:{"noSS":false,"pc":{"t":0,"a":0},"ts":1744067792,"rp":30}};for(var k in vD){VWO.data[k]=vD[k]};;var gcpfb=function(a,loadFunc,status,err,success){function vwoErr() {_vwo_err({message:"Google_Cdn failing for " + a + ". Trying Fallback..",code:"cloudcdnerr",status:status});} if(a.indexOf("/cdn/")!==-1){loadFunc(a.replace("cdn/",""),err,success); vwoErr(); return true;} else if(a.indexOf("/dcdn/")!==-1&&a.indexOf("evad.js") !== -1){loadFunc(a.replace("dcdn/",""),err,success); vwoErr(); return true;}};window.VWO=window.VWO || [];window.VWO._= window.VWO._ || {};window.VWO._.gcpfb=gcpfb;;var d={cookie:document.cookie,URL:document.URL,referrer:document.referrer};var w={VWO:{_:{}},location:{href:window.location.href,search:window.location.search},_vwoCc:window._vwoCc};;window._vwo_cdn="https://dev.visualwebsiteoptimizer.com/cdn/";window._vwo_apm_debug_cdn="https://dev.visualwebsiteoptimizer.com/cdn/";window.VWO._.useCdn=true;window.vwo_eT="br";window._VWO=window._VWO||{};window._VWO.fSeg={};window._VWO.dcdnUrl="/dcdn/settings.js";window.VWO.sTs=1744038536;window._VWO._vis_nc_lib=window._vwo_cdn+"edrv/nc-065d3f05fe213fcfa27fbdcaac81338bbr.js";var loadWorker=function(url){_vwo_code.load(url, { dSC: true, onloadCb: function(xhr,a){window._vwo_wt_l=true;if(xhr.status===200 ||xhr.status===304){var code="var window="+JSON.stringify(w)+",document="+JSON.stringify(d)+";window.document=document;"+xhr.responseText;var blob=new Blob([code||"throw new Error('code not found!');"],{type:"application/javascript"}),url=URL.createObjectURL(blob);window.mainThread={webWorker:new Worker(url)};window.vwoChannelFW=new MessageChannel();window.vwoChannelToW=new MessageChannel();window.mainThread.webWorker.postMessage({vwoChannelToW:vwoChannelToW.port1,vwoChannelFW:vwoChannelFW.port2},[vwoChannelToW.port1, vwoChannelFW.port2]);if(!window._vwo_mt_f)return window._vwo_wt_f=true;_vwo_code.addScript({text:window._vwo_mt_f});delete window._vwo_mt_f}else{if(gcpfb(a,loadWorker,xhr.status)){return;}_vwo_code.finish("&e=loading_failure:"+a)}}, onerrorCb: function(a){if(gcpfb(a,loadWorker)){return;}window._vwo_wt_l=true;_vwo_code.finish("&e=loading_failure:"+a);}})};loadWorker("https://dev.visualwebsiteoptimizer.com/cdn/edrv/worker-1c9fee42429b92a40520b9e729427a4cbr.js");;var _vis_opt_file;var _vis_opt_lib;if(window.VWO._.allSettings.dataStore.previewExtraSettings!=undefined&&window.VWO._.allSettings.dataStore.previewExtraSettings.isSurveyPreviewMode){var surveyHash=window.VWO._.allSettings.dataStore.plugins.LIBINFO.SURVEY_DEBUG_EVENTS.HASH;var param1="evad.js?va=";var param2="&d=debugger_new";var param3="&sp=1&a=940895&sh="+surveyHash;_vis_opt_file=vwoCode.use_existing_jquery&&typeof vwoCode.use_existing_jquery()!=="undefined"?vwoCode.use_existing_jquery()?param1+"vanj"+param2:param1+"va_gq"+param2:param1+"edrv/va_gq-1b71f70004771740c842714f98dd257abr.js"+param2;_vis_opt_file=_vis_opt_file+param3;_vis_opt_lib="https://dev.visualwebsiteoptimizer.com/dcdn/"+_vis_opt_file}else if(window.VWO._.allSettings.dataStore.mode!=undefined&&window.VWO._.allSettings.dataStore.mode=="PREVIEW"){ var path1 = 'edrv/pd_'; var path2 = window.VWO._.allSettings.dataStore.plugins.LIBINFO.EVAD.HASH + ".js"; ;_vis_opt_file=vwoCode.use_existing_jquery&&typeof vwoCode.use_existing_jquery()!=="undefined"?vwoCode.use_existing_jquery()?path1+"vanj"+path2:path1+"va_gq"+path2:path1+"edrv/va_gq-1b71f70004771740c842714f98dd257abr.js"+path2;_vis_opt_lib="https://dev.visualwebsiteoptimizer.com/cdn/"+_vis_opt_file}else{_vis_opt_file=vwoCode.use_existing_jquery&&typeof vwoCode.use_existing_jquery()!=="undefined"?vwoCode.use_existing_jquery()?"edrv/vanj-9556ee20f78ed4cbea841a8762fe78b1br.js":"edrv/va_gq-1b71f70004771740c842714f98dd257abr.js":"edrv/va_gq-1b71f70004771740c842714f98dd257abr.js"}window._vwo_library_timer=setTimeout((function(){vwoCode.removeLoaderAndOverlay&&vwoCode.removeLoaderAndOverlay();vwoCode.finish()}),vwoCode.library_tolerance&&typeof vwoCode.library_tolerance()!=="undefined"?vwoCode.library_tolerance():2500),_vis_opt_lib=typeof _vis_opt_lib=="undefined"?window._vwo_cdn+_vis_opt_file:_vis_opt_lib;var loadLib=function(url){_vwo_code.load(url, { dSC: true, onloadCb:function(xhr,a){window._vwo_mt_l=true;if(xhr.status===200 || xhr.status===304){if(!window._vwo_wt_f)return window._vwo_mt_f=xhr.responseText;_vwo_code.addScript({text:xhr.responseText});delete window._vwo_wt_f;}else{if(gcpfb(a,loadLib,xhr.status)){return;}_vwo_code.finish("&e=loading_failure:"+a);}}, onerrorCb: function(a){if(gcpfb(a,loadLib)){return;}window._vwo_mt_l=true;_vwo_code.finish("&e=loading_failure:"+a);}})};loadLib(_vis_opt_lib);VWO.load_co=function(u,opts){return window._vwo_code.load(u,opts);};;;}}catch(e){_vwo_code.finish();_vwo_code.removeLoaderAndOverlay&&_vwo_code.removeLoaderAndOverlay();_vwo_err(e);window.VWO.caE=1}})();

US prosecutor asks pope's help to return Minn. priest

A Minnesota prosecutor directly appealed to Pope Benedict XVI for help Tuesday as she tries to get an Indian priest back to the United States to face sexual assault charges.

Roseau County Attorney Lisa Hanson mailed Benedict a letter asking him to intervene in the case of the Rev. Joseph Palanivel Jeyapaul. Jeyapaul is charged with two counts of criminal sexual conduct for the alleged assault of a 14-year-old female parishioner while he served at Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church in Greenbush, Minn., in late 2004.

Jeyapaul returned to India before the charges were filed in early 2007, and continues to serve in the Diocese of Ootacamund. He denies the allegations.

Asking Benedict to exercise his "supreme, full, immediate, and universal ordinary power" under Canon Law, Hanson wrote that he could expedite Jeyapaul's return and help the state of Minnesota avoid a lengthy extradition process.

Jeff Anderson, a St. Paul attorney who is representing Jeyapaul's accuser in a separate civil lawsuit, provided The Associated Press with a copy of the letter. Hanson confirmed Tuesday that she sent the letter but declined further comment.

Jeffrey Lena, the Vatican's U.S. attorney, said the appeal for papal intervention was inappropriate.

"This is a civil matter concerning an extradition treaty between the United States and the Republic of India," Lena said. "Given that the Government of India does not appear to have received any extradition request from the United States in the last three years, the prosecutor's immediate release of a letter written directly to the pope smacks of a publicity stunt rather than a legitimate attempt to secure the priest's return for prosecution."

Hanson has said her office filed an extradition request with the Department of Justice last fall; she said department officials warned her it could take as long as four to five years if Jeyapaul decides to fight it.

The Vatican said last week that officials thought Jeyapaul should be defrocked, but church law left the decision to his bishop in India.

Jeyapaul came to Minnesota in 2004, and was assigned to the church in Greenbush, just south of the Canadian border. In early 2005 he returned to India to visit his ailing mother; while he was there, allegations came to the attention of Diocese of Crookston officials that he had an inappropriate relationship with a 16-year-old girl.

Crookston Bishop Victor Balke contacted Jeyapaul in India and told him not to return to the diocese or he would go to the police. It was more than a year later that Jeyapaul was charged with assaulting the younger teenage girl.

Balke had raised concerns about Jeyapaul's continued service to the church in letters to several top Vatican officials. The Most Rev. A. Almaraj, the bishop of the Diocese of Ootacamund, held a canonical trial and sentenced Jeyapaul to a year in a monastery.

Almaraj said he couldn't do more unless Jeyapaul's guilt was proved, and the 55-year-old priest now works in the bishop's office handling paperwork for schools.

Hanson wrote to Benedict that facilitating Jeyapaul's return to Minnesota would "send an unequivocal message to the world that the church has finally cast off the shroud of secrecy that has surrounded sexual abuse of children by the clergy for years."

---

Associated Press Writer Nicole Winfield in Rome contributed to this report.

(Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

Dear reader,

The trustworthy and factual news you find here at MPR News relies on the generosity of readers like you.

Your donation ensures that our journalism remains available to all, connecting communities and facilitating better conversations for everyone.

Will you make a gift today to help keep this trusted new source accessible to all?

Volume Button
Volume
Now Listening To Livestream
MPR News logo
On Air
Marketplace with Kai Ryssdal