Lawyer Wants Priests Accused Of Abuse Identified
By Edgar Linares, NewsRadio 830 WCCO
ST. PAUL (WCCO) -- The Archdiocese of St. Paul will not release a list containing 33 names of priests accused of sexually abusing minors.
St. Paul Attorney Jeff Anderson has represented victims in the past. He says the list should be revealed because it's a public safety issue.
"The list of 33 offenders in the possession of the (St. Paul) Archdiocese -- and the 17 in the possession of Winona -- that have been refused to be released are what they have determined to be credible accusations," said Anderson.
According to Anderson, that could mean two things: either the priest admitted it or there's enough evidence to prove the accusations credible.
"Their superior, their boss has determined that the accusations are true in their own internal process and investigation," said Anderson.
This week, letters were mailed to every alumnus at St. John's University in Collegeville releasing the name of 17 priests and monks who the Abbey identified as having credible allegations of sexual abuse brought against them.
"Many dioceses have released this information. Many have. It's just this diocese refuses to because they choose to keep secrets instead of protect kids," said Anderson
The Star Tribune says the St. Paul list is the subject of at least one lawsuit filed by a man who says he was sexually abused by a former priest while a teenager.
WCCO Radio attempted to reach the spokesman of the Archdiocese of St. Paul for reaction, but all calls have not been returned.
WCCO's John Williams Interviews Jeff Anderson (Two Parts)
