Hearing to focus on list of accused Catholic priests

Published 10:21 am Monday, December 2, 2013

ST. PAUL — The Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis is seeking a court’s permission to disclose the names of some priests who have been accused of sexually abusing minors.

Archbishop John Nienstedt says he will disclose the names, locations and status of all living archdiocesan priests against whom there are substantiated claims of sexual abuse, regardless of where they reside.

But he says he needs a court’s permission because the list is under a protective order. Attorneys for victims of abuse say the archdiocese doesn’t need permission to release its own information. A hearing is scheduled for Monday.

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In 2004, the archdiocese compiled a list of 33 priests deemed to have credible accusations against them. It’s not clear how many names Nienstedt would release, or whether they’ve already been made public.