NEWS RELEASE

Diocese of St. Cloud

MEDIA CONTACT

Joe Towalski
Director of Communications
(O) 320-258-7624
jtowalski@gw.stcdio.org

 

May 23, 2016

STATEMENT RE: CLAIMS UNDER THE MINNESOTA CHILD VICTIMS ACT

The Diocese of Saint Cloud is in the process of reviewing claims made against it that allege past sexual abuse of minors by members of the clergy and religious orders who served in the diocese. The Minnesota Child Victims Act, which temporarily lifts the civil statute of limitations for such claims, ends May 25, 2016.

As of May 23, 73 claims have been made against the diocese.

“I apologize on behalf of the Church to all victims and survivors of abuse, who have had to live through, and with, these horrible experiences,” said Bishop Donald Kettler of St. Cloud. “Our diocese is committed to helping them find healing and protecting all children and young people from abuse.”

“We are in the process of reviewing the claims, which I want to resolve in a fair and just manner while also allowing for the continuation of the work of the Church in our communities,” he said.

Bishop Kettler continues to encourage anyone who has suffered sexual abuse by a member of the clergy tocome forward, regardless of when the misconduct occurred. Contact information for victim advocates and county officials to whom abuse can be reported is available online at: https://stcdio.org/about/safeenvironment/how-to-report-abuse.

More information, including past statements from the diocese, is available at: www.stcdio.org/accountability.