Minnesota priest who possessed pornography returns to limited ministry

A Minnesota priest is returning to limited ministry years after pornography was found on his computer.

The Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis announced Thursday that the Rev. Jonathan Shelley will return to ministry and serve people in prisons and jails. He'll be under the direction of a deacon and subjected to security and oversight of the facilities he visits.

Shelley has been out of ministry since 2012. While Shelley was accused of searching for child pornography, authorities concluded none of the images on his old computer were illegal and he was not charged.

Shelley's case was among several that raised questions about the way the archdiocese handled abuse cases. After the photos were found in 2004, the archdiocese hired an investigator but didn't bring the images to police.

Create a More Connected Minnesota

MPR News is your trusted resource for the news you need. With your support, MPR News brings accessible, courageous journalism and authentic conversation to everyone - free of paywalls and barriers. Your gift makes a difference.