St. Paul Archdiocese Charged Over Handling of Abuse Claims

Criminal charges were filed against the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis on Friday for its handling of a priest who molested children. A prosecutor says church leaders "turned a blind eye" to problems with the priest. Ramsey County prosecutors charged the archdiocese--as a corporation--with six misdemeanor counts alleging that it failed to protect children. No individual church leaders are named in the criminal complaint.
The charges stem from the archdiocese's handling of the Rev. Curtis Wehmeyer, who was eventually sent to prison for molesting two boys. Ramsey County Attorney John Choi said Friday that it is not only Curtis Wehmeyer who is criminally responsible for the harm caused, but the archdiocese as well.