New Ulm Diocese names 16 priests credibly accused of child sexual abuse
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The Diocese of New Ulm has released a list of 16 priests it says have been credibly accused of sexually abusing children in and out of the diocese.
All but three of the priests have died, the diocese said, and all but one have already been identified in media reports.
The list was released in conjunction with a St. Paul law firm, where two women spoke about their own experiences.
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Explore the full investigation Clergy abuse, cover-up and crisis in the Twin Cities Catholic church
Kim Schmit said she was a school girl in 1968 when she was a victim of abuse at her church in Willmar.
"I was standing there waiting for my taxi after release classes when the priest approached me, backed me into the corner, into the dark," she said. "It only happened once for me, and I went home and told my mom. And my parents went and confronted, and they promised something would have been done. But nothing was done."
Bishop John LeVoir apologized in a video statement and said the church was saddened and angered by the abuse. He also urged anyone else who had been abused to report the misconduct to police.