New Ulm Diocese had 25 reports of sexual abuse

By KEVIN SWEENEY

Journal Editor

NEW ULM -- The New Ulm Diocese has reported receiving 25 reports of sexual abuse of minors by priests who have served in the diocese since it was founded in 1957.

The figures, reported by the Diocese in the November issue of the diocesan paper, The Prairie Catholic, are part of the report the John Jay College of Criminal Justice, commissioned by the American Council of Catholic Bishops and released Friday.

A total of 12 priests out of the 305 who have served the New Ulm Diocese were named in the accusations received by the diocese. Father Douglas Grams, Bishop John Nienstedt's representative on matters of sexual abuse, said Friday said all of the accusations reported to the diocese happened 30 years ago or more, and involved priests who are either dead or no longer in active ministry.

According to Diocesan figures, the diocese has paid $63,921 for therapy and counseling to victims of sexual misconduct when they were minors, and has paid $4,261 for therapy for clerics who abused minors. To date, the diocese has paid $61,254 in legal costs.

The diocese has paid $429,500 in settlements to victims between 1992-1998. Insurers of the diocese have covered $303,000 of those settlements. The remaining $126,500 was paid by the diocese.

Fr. Grams said the diocese is currently handling two civil suits alleging abuse, and is investigating five other allegations of abuse, made against priests who are now deceased.

Fr. Grams said the reports have come years after the actual abuse occured as people have reached a "comfort level" to come forward. Most reports came after nationwide reports of abuse became public in 1993 and in 2002, said Fr. Grams. The diocese wants to encourage anyone who has suffered abuse to come and report it, said Fr. Grams.

The diocese has had a policy in place since 1990 to deal with incidences of clerical sexual abuse. The diocese also appointed an independent review board to handle such accusations, according to a statement from Bishop Nienstedt, issued Friday.

"The incidences since that time have been few," said Bishop Nienstedt. "At the same time, we have worked very hard as a diocese during the past two years to update our policies, to establish programs for safe environments, to provide background checks, and to train victim assistance personnel to deal with any allegations regarding sexual misconduct on the part of priests of the diocese."

"As a baptized Catholic and ordained priest and bishop, I have felt embarrassment, anger, disgust and shame as a result of this scandal that has befallen today's church," said Bishop Nienstedt. "The crisis of clergy sexual abuse is an evil that has risen up before the world and it must be exorcized... Even though it may cause us to suffer humiliation or be drained of our resources, it is essential that the Church help society to overcome this evil wherever it exists."