Despite a 210-million-dollar settlement with victims, the legal battle over priest sex abuse in the Catholic Church in Minnesota might not be over. Archbishop Bernard Hebda points “safe environment” protocols, plus the monetary settlement. Hebda says, “We hope that that is something that brings some sense that justice has been done, and that that ultimately is going to bring some healing into the lives of those who have been hurt by priests, or by cover-ups, or by others working on the part of the church.”
But victims’ attorney Mike Finnegan says still not addressed is “accountability for those who covered up, those that protected offenders — and that piece is the piece that’s been lacking and is still lacking.”
It’s expected Governor Mark Dayton will meet soon with county attorneys to decide whether to proceed with grand jury investigations.
A portion of Archbishop Hebda’s statement after Tuesday’s court hearing:
Interview with victims’ attorney Finnegan: