Pope Francis Bans Ex-Archbishop John Nienstedt​ From MN

ST. PAUL, MN — Pope Francis has banned the former Archbishop of the Twin Cities, John Nienstedt, from living in Minnesota, according to church officials.

The decision came at the end of an investigation into Nienstedt's embattled tenure as the archbishop of the state's largest diocese.

According to a letter published Friday from Archbishop Bernard Hebda, Nienstedt's successor, the investigation into Nienstedt concluded without finding any evidence of violation of canon law.

However, Hebda said, "It was communicated to me that several instances of 'imprudent' actions were brought to light."

According to Hebda, Pope Francis has justified the following administrative actions: Nienstedt may not live or exercise any public ministries in the Province of Saint Paul and Minneapolis, which covers Minnesota, North Dakota, and South Dakota. He is also prohibited from exercising ministry outside his diocese of residence without the express authorization of his superiors.

Nienstedt was archbishop when a local clergy abuse scandal came to light in 2012, and resigned in 2015.

The archdiocese eventually settled with victims for $201 million in 2018, the Star Tribune notes.

In 2019, the archdiocese's clergy abuse ombudsperson and a former Hennepin County Attorney, Tom Johnson, officially requested that the Vatican investigate Nienstedt.

Johnson accused Nienstedt of failing to discipline former St. Paul priest Curtis Wehmeyer and misrepresentation his own relationship with Wehmeyer to local law enforcement.

In 2012, Wehmeyer pleaded guilty to sexually abusing two boys and was sent to prison.

Wehmeyer was released from prison in May 2016 but remains under state supervision.

Hebda concluded his letter on Friday by asking parishioners to "please join me in praying that this resolution may bring further healing to our Archdiocese and to all those involved in these matters."