Priest Abuse In Minnesota

Minnesota Clergy Abuse Lawsuits

Minnesota is one of many states facing sex abuse scandals within the Catholic Church. Numerous survivors have brought lawsuits against priests and clergy members within the Minnesota dioceses.

Additionally, the Roman Catholic dioceses in Minnesota have been accused of covering up incidents of abuse. Survivors have filed lawsuits against church leaders and dioceses. These lawsuits aim to hold the dioceses accountable for their silence and orchestrated cover-ups.

Many survivors have successfully won compensation through lawsuit verdicts and settlements.

Clergy Abuse Settlements In Minnesota

Catholic dioceses across the United States have paid millions in priest abuse settlements. In recent years, the Minnesota dioceses have reached multiple settlements with priest abuse survivors.

2019 | Crookston Diocese Pays Settlement for $5 Million

The Diocese of Crookston reached a $5 million settlement with 15 abuse survivors. The abuse in these cases spanned from 1969 to 2009. Apart from financial compensation, the settlement agreement also included non-monetary provisions.

As one of the non-monetary settlement provisions, the diocese released private documents. These internal documents revealed the diocese’s role in covering up the abuse.

2021 | Winona-Rochester Diocese Pays $21.5 Million Settlement

In February 2021, the Diocese of Winona-Rochester announced a $21.5 million settlement agreement with survivors. The settlement paid 145 survivors who were sexually abused by diocesan clergy members. According to the Associated Press, the diocese’s insurers will pay an additional $6.5 million to survivors.

Minnesota Dioceses Bankruptcies

The provisions of the Minnesota Child Victims Act led to new litigation against the Minnesota dioceses. Multiple dioceses declared bankruptcy in the wake of numerous priest abuse lawsuits.

The dioceses of Duluth, New Ulm, Saint Cloud and Winona-Rochester filed for bankruptcy, as did the Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis.

Year	Diocese	Settlement	Survivors
2015	Duluth	$40,000,000	125
2015	St. Paul-Minneapolis	$210,000,000	450
2017	New Ulm	$34,000,000	93
2018	Winona-Rochester	$21,500,000	145
2020	St. Cloud	$22,500,000	TBD

Child Sex Abuse Statutes Of Limitations In Minnesota

In May 2013, Minnesota legislators passed the Minnesota Child Victims Act. The Child Victims Act greatly expanded legal rights for child sexual abuse survivors, including the following provisions:

• The Child Victims Act expanded the definition of “person” who can be sued to include companies and organizations. This allows survivors to sue Catholic dioceses or other organizations for their role in incidents of child sexual abuse.
• The Child Victims Act eliminated the civil statute of limitations for survivors of child sex abuse.
• The Child Victims Act opened a three-year “look-back” window. Any victim of child sexual abuse could file a previously expired civil claim during this window, regardless of when the abuse happened.

Civil Statutes For Child Sex Abuse In Minnesota

In Minnesota, there is no civil statute of limitations for child sex abuse claims. As of May 25, 2013, a survivor who was abused before the age of 18 may file a civil claim against their abuser and the involved institutions at any time. Prior to the Child Victims Act, survivors had until age 24 to file a lawsuit.

The new statute is not retroactive. Survivors with expired cases prior to the Child Victims Act are still unable to file a civil lawsuit. To address these survivors with older claims, lawmakers opened a three-year “look-back” window.

Minnesota’s “Look Back” Window

The Child Victims Act opened a three-year “look-back” window. For the duration of the window, all child sexual abuse survivors could file a civil claim. This applied to survivors with expired claims even under the new statute.

Legislators opened the “look-back” window in May 2013. The window closed in May 2016.

Criminal Statutes For Child Sex Abuse In Minnesota

In Minnesota, there is no criminal statute of limitations for criminal sexual conduct and sex trafficking. In 2021, Minnesota eliminated the statute for these crimes and several other felonies.

List Of Accused Clergy In Minnesota

This list includes Catholic Minnesota priests and additional clergy members credibly accused of abuse.

It does not include staff members, parishioners or volunteers. This list also does not cover individuals in religious orders outside the Catholic Church. However, depending on your unique circumstances, you may still be able to bring a legal claim against these abusers.

If you or a loved one was abused by a Catholic clergy member in Minnesota, you are not alone. Taking your abuser to court can be a path to healing. It can also protect others by preventing future abuse. Our experienced legal team is here to help you obtain justice. Contact us today.

History Of Clergy Abuse In Minnesota

The Roman Catholic dioceses in Minnesota have a long history of child sex abuse. The most recent instance of abuse and cover-up was revealed in 2019, during a Vatican investigation.

In 2019, the Vatican began an investigation into Bishop Michael Hoepnner. Hoeppner was accused of interfering with clergy abuse investigations. Clergy abuse survivor Ron Vasek named Hoeppner in a child sex abuse lawsuit. In the lawsuit, Vasek claims he was abused by the priest Monsignor Roger Grundhaus. Grundhaus abused Vasek in the early 1970s, when Vasek was 16 years old.

Additionally, Vasek’s lawsuit claims Hoeppner blackmailed him into retracting his allegations against Grundhaus. Hoeppnerlater declared Grundhaus fit for continued ministry in the Minnesota dioceses.

In 2019, Vasek was one of the 15 survivors compensated by the Diocese of Crookston. Documents released as part of the settlement uncovered the abuse accusations against Hoeppner. These documents prompted a Vatican investigation led by Saint Paul-Minneapolis Archbishop Bernard Hebda.

In 2021, the Diocese of Crookston concluded that Hoeppner “failed to observe applicable norms when presented with allegations of sexual abuse involving clergy.” Hoeppner resigned shortly thereafter at the request of Pope Francis.

Minnesota Priest Abuse Victim Resources

If you were abused by a priest in Minnesota, you are not alone. There are organizations and programs all across the state of Minnesota that offer resources to victims of sexual violence.

Call the statewide Minnesota crisis hotline at 1-866-223-1111 to find local resources near you.

You may also have legal rights to file a clergy abuse lawsuit. Consult our legal team today to determine your options.

Minnesota Priest Abuse FAQs

What Is The Statute Of Limitations On Priest Sexual Abuse In Minnesota?

In Minnesota, victims of child sexual abuse abused after May 25, 2013 may file a civil claim at any time. Survivors who turned 24 years of age before May 25, 2013 are not covered under the new statute. However, you may still have legal options.

Learn more about child sexual abuse statutes in Minnesota here >

How Do I Report Sexual Abuse By A Priest In Minnesota?

Anyone may report child sex abuse by contacting the Department of Human Services for the county where the victim lives.

Learn more about reporting child sexual abuse and assault on our resource page >

After reporting the priest abuse to the local authorities, you can also report the abuse to the relevant diocese.