A Call for the Resignation of Archbishop Nienstedt
Saturday, November 9, 2013
1:30-2:30 p.m.
1:30-2:30 p.m.
In front of the Chancery Office
of the Archdiocese of St. Paul-Minneapolis
226 Summit Ave., St. Paul, MN 55102
of the Archdiocese of St. Paul-Minneapolis
226 Summit Ave., St. Paul, MN 55102
In recent weeks it has become clear that many Catholics in the Archdiocese of St. Paul-Minneapolis no longer accept the leadership of Archbishop John C. Nienstedt.
Archbishop Nienstedt has failed to garner the trust of a significant number of Catholics in the archdiocese or lost such trust over the course of his tenure. This failure in pastoral leadership is the result of a number of factors, including his leadership style, his unwillingness to dialogue with Catholics on their legitimate concerns, his dismissive stance and pastorally insensitive way of dealing with those who disagree with his agenda and priorities, his promoting of a culture that values self-protection and secrecy above disclosure and justice, and his ill-judged, perhaps even criminal mishandling of a number of recent cases involving both known sexually abusing priests and highly suspect ones. These cases and the archdiocese’s well-publicized mismanagement of them have shocked and scandalized many – both within and beyond the archdiocese.
Please join us for this public event at the chancery
to call upon Archbishop Nienstedt's resignation
or his removal by the Vatican.
Feel free to bring banners and signs respectfully conveying
your call for Archbishop Nienstedt's resignation.
My thoughts are with you all. However, I will caution you to not get your hopes up. I live in the diocese of Robert Finn and live with the "wound" of his presence as Bishop, daily. This is a festering situation and is not being dealt with by the Vatican. The powers that are behind these men are more than the average Catholic can know. It is a sad and despicable situation.
ReplyDeleteIn the midst of all the evidence, statements, documents, etc. relative to this debacle and failure to lead in the Archdiocese of St. Paul-Minneapolis, this is all one really needs to know:
ReplyDeleteRev. Reginald Whitt, professor of canon law at University of St. Thomas in Minneapolis - Director of Task Force, Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis
"Canon law is very eloquent on what a bishop is supposed to do, but there is no list of Thou Shalt Nots," says Father Reginald Whitt (2002). "These (sex abusers) are criminals, but they are our criminals and we can't lose them. Indeed, the bishops have a duty to try to save them," says the Rev. Reginald Whitt, professor of canon law at University of St. Thomas in Minneapolis. (2002)
"......BISHOPS HAVE A DUTY TO TRY TO SAVE THEM (sex abuser priests)....." Well, Fr. Whitt, where is it written (no, not in text or canon law.......it is written in one's heart and soul) that the bishops have a duty to try to save the CHILDREN ABUSED and INNOCENT CHILDREN from the risk of abuse?
Seems like little has changed since these issues were studied over a decade ago by during the Dallas Charter Charade of the USCCB.
Father Whitt has a degree in canon law and civil law. Which perspective will take prominence and priority when he reviews the findings of the task force committee he established to review the debacle in the archdiocese? It is humanly, ethically and morally IMPOSSIBLE to avoid/resolve the conflicts of interest from both perspectives (civil and canon law) when attempting to review and support the rights of priests vs the rights of child victims.
Michael Skiendzielewski
Captain (retired)
Philadelphia Police Dept.
I will be there in spirit. All Catholics must stand up to bishops who fail to protect children.
ReplyDelete