New court documents released in Minnesota today show details of the
criminal case a prosecutor had built against the Archdiocese of St.
Paul-Minneapolis.The papers show that some accusations against Archbishop John Nienstedt, involving improper activities with adult men, dated back to the 1970s, while more recent charges were from his term as leader of the Minnesota archdiocese.
Archbishop Nienstedt, who resigned last year, has consistently denied any improprieties.
The prosecutor's papers also show that officials of Archbishop Harry Flynn admitted Curtis Wehmeyer to the archdiocesan seminary despite a strong negative recommendation.
Wehmeyer, whose record showed a pattern of misbehavior, is now a convicted sex offender.
Archbishop Flynn, who preceded Archbishop Nienstedt, is a former chairman of the US bishops' committee implementing the "Dallas Charter" policy on sexual abuse.
The Ramsey County prosecutor dropped his case against the Archdiocese of St. Paul-Minneapolis in July, in exchange for a commitment by Church officials to admit guilt and to set new abuse policies.