Archbishop Bernard Hebda says he’s forwarded to the Vatican the results of an investigation of Crookston Bishop Michael Hoeppner, who’s accused of improperly responding to allegations of priest sex abuse in the diocese. Ron Vasek says as a child in the early 1970s he was abused by a priest who remained in the ministry for decades until his retirement. Vasek says, “Jesus ordained 12 men at the Last Supper, knowing that one bishop would betray him. This is still happening.”
Church officials say every clergy person in the Crookston Diocese has stated in writing, that they have no knowledge of any child sex abuse in the diocese which isn’t already reported to law enforcement and church officials.
Victims’ attorney Jeff Anderson is calling on the Vatican to remove Hoeppner. The Crookston Diocese says Hoeppner has fully cooperated with the archbishop’s investigation.