Anti-Gay Archbishop to Be Compelled to Tesitify About Sexual Abuse of Minors

One of the most vile homophobic members of the Catholic Church hierarchy in America is Minneapolis Archbishop John Nienstedt (pictured above) who has gone out of his way to demonize gays and to oppose civil equality for gay Minnesotans.  Now, deliciously, a judge has ruled that Nienstedt must testify about his role in covering up sexual abuse of children and youths by Catholic clergy.  Nienstedt is a one foul piece of work and it would be wonderful to be able to watch him be forced to testify about his own obstruction of justice and failure to take meaningful steps to stop the rape of children by priest. Nienstedt is a poster boy for members of the Church hierarchy who belong not only out of their cushy positions but also behind bars in prison.  The New Civil Rights Movement has details on this development.  Here are highlights:

On Sunday afternoon, Ramsey County District Judge John Van de North confirmed that Minneapolis Archbishop John Nienstedt, one of the nation’s most vocal and vociferous Catholic anti-LGBT voices, must testify about covering up child abuse within the church in Minnesota. Sunday’s ruling, which mirrored his decision early last week, came in response to the Twin Cities archdiocese’s appeal to stay the testimony. 

Former Vicar General Kevin McDonough, who recently resigned in light of the cover-up, will also be forced to testify before March 13. The judge also reconfirmed his ruling that the church must turn in a list of all priests accused of child and sexual abuse since 2004, though such names will remain under seal. The archdiocese released a partial list in late 2013, but had refused to release the entire list.

The ruling stands as a boon to both those seeking recourse for decades of sex abuse within the Catholic Church, as well as those who know Nienstedt for his history of outspoken bigotry. While his anti-LGBT views aren’t as prominent as Cardinal Timothy Dolan, Nienstedt arguably carries the most acidic views among high-ranking American Catholics.

Nienstedt’s beliefs came to a head in the lead-up to the state’s 2012 anti-same-sex marriage amendment, which the archbishop both spearheaded and helped fund through the church’s charity arm. (This, while numerous churches in his diocese were closing due to a lack of financial support.) After spending years graphically detailing scenes from Brokeback Mountain in church bulletins, staking that those who “actively encourage … homosexual acts” are committing “mortal sin,” and mailing — without asking — 400,000 anti-gay marriage DVDs to the state’s Catholics, the archbishop tossed the full weight of his organization behind a state amendment defining marriage as a union between one man and one woman.

The amendment, of course, failed, and but a few months later Minnesota became the 12th state to legalize same-sex marriage in the US. Not long after, MPR began unearthing claims and documentation detailing the decades of sex abuse committed by Minensota priests – and the subsequent cover-up from Nienstedt and the two archbishops coming prior. Numerous priests were reshuffled, promoted, or placed on paid leave without attendant reporting to local authorities.

[A\ boy accused Nienstedt of improper touching during a Confirmation ceremony. The archbishop stepped aside temporarily while the investigation unfurled. He has not been seen in public since. As such, not only will the forthcoming testimony provide legal means to examine the decades of cover-up, but it will force Nienstedt to speak on an issue that, unlike LGBT rights, he has remained resoundingly silent on recently.

I for one hope they rip Nienstedt to shreds when he testifies.  Meanwhile, if Pope Francis is serious about addressing the Catholic Church's sex abuse scandal, individuals like Nienstedt need to be removed from office and cast out of the Church.

 

Church Lawyer Turned Whistleblower Named "Person of the Year"

Photo credit: Jennifer Simonson

The Roman Catholic Church hierarchy remains a foul cesspool inhabited by many who knowingly enabled, abetted and covered up for predatory priests who preyed on children and youth.  These "princes of the church" have displayed a moral bankruptcy that is shocking to decent, moral people.  Adding to their rank hypocrisy is their jihad against the rights and lives of normal, well adjusted LGBT individuals.  Indeed, in some cases, the louder they rant against gays, the more it turns out they covered up sexual abuse by pedophiles hiding from normal society within the ranks of the priesthood.  Archbishop John Nienstedt is but one such example.  Thankfully, there are decent moral people who chose to do the right thing and report abuse and to become whistle blowers.  One such individual is Jennifer Haselberger (pictured above), an attorney who once represented Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis.  For her efforts, the National Catholic Reporter - which obviously is NOT controlled by the Vatican - has named Haselberger "person of the year."  The Minneapolis Star Tribune looks at this honor and how Haselberger merited the designation.  Here are highlights (pay attention to the number of bishops involved in the cover ups):

The whistleblower who set off a storm of controversy over clergy sex abuse in the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis has been named “person of the year” by a national Catholic newspaper.

Jennifer Haselberger, 39, of St. Paul was honored Monday in an editorial by the National Catholic Reporter for her courage in speaking out against Archbishop John Nienstedt and his handling of evidence in potential child abuse cases involving archdiocesan priests.

“Thank God for the courage of abuse survivors and the families of victims who will not let our bishops and leaders forget the abuse and their complicity in it,” the editorial said. “Thank God for activists who stand with survivors. But most of all, thank God for one very special class of people: the priests and church personnel who do stand up to their leaders and cry out for justice. … Finally, thank God for Jennifer Haselberger.”

She went public with her concerns after finding what she believed was child pornography on a priest’s discarded computer and later failing to persuade church leaders to address the issue and other potential sexual misconduct involving clergy.

She resigned in protest in April after “repeatedly” taking her concerns about “unreported allegations of clergy sex abuse and lapses in investigations” to Nienstedt, who “ignored and rebuffed them,” the editorial said.

Since October, the scandal has toppled Nienstedt’s vicar general, the Rev. Peter Laird, and prompted abrupt resignations from the University of St. Thomas board by former Archbishop Harry Flynn and his former top deputy, the Rev. Kevin McDonough. Both have been criticized for not responding appropriately to allegations of sexual abuse by priests. Nienstedt removed himself from ministry this month pending an investigation after he was accused of touching a boy’s buttocks during a confirmation photo session.

The editorial also praised the work of two priests who “sacrificed promising ecclesiastical careers” by standing up for victims of abuse and speaking out against those “who would cover it up.”

The priests are Patrick Wall, a former Benedictine monk who now works as a victims advocate for the St. Paul law firm of Jeff Anderson & Associates, and the Rev. Thomas Doyle, a Virginia-based canon lawyer who has testified on behalf of victims in abuse cases in civil courts.

Haselberger’s honor comes as the Diocese of Duluth prepares to release Tuesday the names of 17 priests credibly accused of sexual misconduct with children. The publishing of the names comes several weeks after a lawsuit was filed seeking the release of that information.

This month, following a Ramsey County judge’s order, the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis and the Diocese of Winona released the names of 46 priests credibly accused of sexually abusing minors, lists that were largely compiled a decade ago.

The order also stipulated that the archdiocese release by Jan. 6 a second list of priests identified over the past decade.

Kudos to Ms. Haselberger.  Again, let's not forget Nienstedt's condemnation of gays and efforts to block gay marriage in Minnesota.  And now, he has stepped aside due to accusations he fondled a boys hindquarters.  I have asked before and will ask again, how does anyone decent and moral continue to listen to the bullshit disseminated by such men?   I also ask again, when is Pope Francis going to clean house?

Anti-Gay Minnesota Archbishop Steps Aside After Sex Abuse Allegation

I have said time and time again that the more vocal and vitriolic a homophobe is the more likely that they are a closet case with desperate yearnings for the very gay sex they publicly condemn.  The rule holds true whether the outspoken anti-gay bigot is a politician or a high church cleric.  Seemingly, a case in point is Minnesota's Archbishop John Nienstedt (pictured at right) who after engaging in almost unprecedented anti-gay activities has now been accused of sexual improprieties himself.  John Becker at The Bilerico Project has coverage.  Here are column excerpts:

Archbishop John Nienstedt, the notorious opponent of LGBT rights who heads the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis, announced today that he is voluntarily stepping aside in light of an allegation of inappropriate touching. He repeatedly and emphatically denies the allegations.

CBS Minnesota reports:

According to the Archdiocese, Nienstedt is accused of inappropriately touching a young boy on the buttocks during a group photo session after a confirmation ceremony in 2009.

Nienstedt has denied the allegation but will voluntarily step aside from public ministry, effective immediately, while an investigation into the incident takes place.

Once the Archdiocese learned of the allegation, they contacted police. They said in a statement on their website that they are ready to fully cooperate with the St. Paul Police's investigation.

Authorities said the investigation against Nienstedt began around 2 p.m. on Monday -- a day after he publicly apologized and addressed the media regarding sexual abuse allegations involving dozens of priests within the Diocese.

For the past several years, Nienstedt has inserted himself into the battle over civil marriage in Minnesota. He lobbied hard to add a marriage discrimination amendment to the state constitution (an effort that ultimately failed), and fought tooth and nail against the new marriage equality law. A list of his worst anti-LGBT moments is after the jump.

Independent of today's allegations, Nienstedt has been under heavy fire recently over claims that he and other archdiocesan officials covered up sexual abuse and possession of child pornography by priests. 

Even if Nienstedt is cleared of the charges in question, I will continue to believe that the man "doth protest too much."  Any man who is well adjusted and comfortable with his own sexuality and masculinity does not become hysterical about gays.  Self-loating closet cases are a far different matter entirely.

 notorious opponent of LGBT rights who heads the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis, announced today that he is voluntarily stepping aside in light of an allegation of inappropriate touching. He repeatedly and emphatically denies the allegations.
CBS Minnesota reports:

According to the Archdiocese, Nienstedt is accused of inappropriately touching a young boy on the buttocks during a group photo session after a confirmation ceremony in 2009.
Nienstedt has denied the allegation but will voluntarily step aside from public ministry, effective immediately, while an investigation into the incident takes place.
Once the Archdiocese learned of the allegation, they contacted police. They said in a statement on their website that they are ready to fully cooperate with the St. Paul Police's investigation.
Authorities said the investigation against Nienstedt began around 2 p.m. on Monday -- a day after he publicly apologized and addressed the media regarding sexual abuse allegations involving dozens of priests within the Diocese.

For the past several years, Nienstedt has inserted himself into the battle over civil marriage in Minnesota. He lobbied hard to add a marriage discrimination amendment to the state constitution (an effort that ultimately failed), and fought tooth and nail against the new marriage equality law. A list of his worst anti-LGBT moments is after the jump.
Independent of today's allegations, Nienstedt has been under heavy fire recently over claims that he and other archdiocesan officials covered up sexual abuse and possession of child pornography by priests.

Read more at http://www.bilerico.com/2013/12/anti-gay_mn_archbishop_steps_aside_after_abuse_all.php#F3rjxo8XbJ7diPie.99

Evangelical Lutheran Church in America Bishop Calls Out Anti-Gay Catholic Archbishop

I often complain about the "good Christians" who do little or nothing to stand up to and/or counter the incessant anti-gay hate and vitriol that is disseminated by others who wrap themselves in the mantle of Christianity.  In my view, such behavior although on a far lesser scale is akin to the "good Germans" who did nothing to stand up to or halt Nazi atrocities.  Thankfully, some in the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America are beginning to understand that being welcoming to same sex couples and partnered LGBT clergy is not enough.  The hate merchants need to be confronted directly.  And that is precisely what  Rt. Rev. Herbert Chilstrom (pictured at left), the retired presiding bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, has done in blasting Minnesota Archbishop John Nienstedt in a op-ed in the Minneapolis Star Tribune.  Here are some excerpts:

Having served as a Lutheran bishop in Minnesota and then as the presiding bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), I write as one who stands on level ground with you. Like you, I have a deep sense of call to the ministry of the Gospel. 

On the marriage amendment, you are described in the media as having "drawn the line."  In my judgment, you have drawn the line at the wrong place.

I recognize your authority in formulating positions for your own flock in Minnesota. That is one thing. But for you and others to campaign for an amendment that imposes your stance on all citizens in Minnesota, including other Christians, believers of other faith groups and nonbelievers, is overstepping your bounds.

History is our teacher .   .  .  .   The genius of America is that we separate church from state. As we say in our Pledge of Allegiance, we are committed to our flag "and to the republic for which it stands." As any dictionary will tell us, a republic is "a nation in which citizens elect representatives to manage the government." By placing the marriage amendment on the November ballot, our legislators in St. Paul have ducked their responsibility. They have already enacted a statute that forbids same-gender marriage. Attempting to embed it in the Constitution is simply wrong.

By word and action, you leave the impression that there is little room for dissent in your church. Yet many of us recall that Raymond Lucker, your predecessor as bishop of the Diocese of New Ulm, challenged your church to begin thinking about the need for married men and, yes, even women, to be ordained as priests. He clearly understood that one could be a good Roman Catholic and still be open to change.

This raises the question: If there were a call from Roman Catholic members in Minnesota to vote on an issue of significance, would you allow for such a vote? And if a simple majority voted in favor, would you accept that vote as final? It's clear that such a vote would not even be permitted in your church.

Why then have you worked so hard and spent so much of your church's resources to bring this issue to a vote in Minnesota, where the vast majority of us are not even members of your church?

There is evidence that many in your church will vote "no" on this amendment.  I stand with them and with all who will vote "no."

I have stated many times on this blog and elsewhere that thinking Catholics and particularly LGBT Catholics and their friends, family members and allies need to walk away for the Catholic Church and join one of the viable alternative churches such as the ELCA.  This would hasten the much deserved coming future of the Catholic Church if it doesn't let go of its backward thinking 12th century "natural law" mindset: It will be a that becomes centered in the most ignorant and uneducated areas of the world.  This latter trend is already occurring as the Catholic Church's only real growth is in the most backward countries of Africa.  Personally, the demise of the Roman Catholic Church in its current morally bankrupt and child rapist protecting form cannot come about soon enough.

 

Minnesota Archbishop to Mother of Gay Son: You're Going to Hell

For any regular readers of this blog, it is no secret that I view Minnesota Archbishop of St. Paul and Minneapolis, John Nienstedt (pictured at left), is a complete homophobic asshole.  In his warped view, anyone who is supportive of LGBT individuals or, worse yet in his view, supports LGBT equality is at risk of being damned to Hell.  Nienstedt further proved his asshole status when he told a mother than she needs to reject her gay son and get back in line with the Vatican's anti-gay jihad.  The New Civil Rights Movement looks at this latest example of Nienstedt's deep anti-gay animus.  Here are highlights: 

John Nienstedt, the Minnesota Archbishop of St. Paul and Minneapolis, told a mother who asked him for acceptance for her gay child, that she might go to hell if she does not embrace the Roman Catholic Church’s teachings on homosexuality.

“Your eternal salvation may well depend upon a conversation of heart on this topic,” Nienstedt told the mother via a letter. ”Catholics are bound in conscience to believe in this teaching. Those who do not cannot consider themselves to be Catholic and ought not to participate in the sacramental life of the Church.”

The Star-Tribune profiled the anti-gay marriage debate in Minnesota, one of four states that will have marriage on the ballot in November. Minnesota is the only state seeking to ban same-sex marriage in its constitution, whereas Washington, Maine, and Maryland are seeking to legalize marriage equality.

“Nienstedt is not a new disciple to the traditional marriage campaign,” the Star-Tribune reports:

In 2006, as bishop of the diocese of New Ulm, he mobilized Catholics to send postcards to lawmakers urging them to support a constitutional ban on same-sex marriage.

Not long after he was promoted to archbishop in 2008, Nienstedt ordered an end to the gay pride prayer service at St. Joan of Arc Church in Minneapolis. Before the 2010 election, he led a move to send DVDs opposing same-sex marriage to 400,000 Catholics in Minnesota, in which he gave a six-minute introduction.

Earlier this year, a Catholic priest under Nienstedt leadership hosted a mandatory assembly at a Minneapolis high school where seniors were told gay marriage is akin to bestiality, and adopted children are not normal.

 I hope  the mother who received Nienstedt's letter which can be found here does the right thing: walk away from the Catholic Church and shake the dust off of the soles of her shoes as she exits the door.