NEW ULM (March 10, 2020) – U.S. Bankruptcy Court Judge Robert Kressel gave final approval to the $34 million settlement between the Diocese of New Ulm, parishes within it, and those who have filed sexual abuse claims against the diocese and parishes. Claimants voted unanimously to approve the settlement.

NEW ULM – In December 2018, as part of preparation for a clergy sexual abuse disclosure report, the Archdiocese of San Antonio, Texas, became aware of allegations of sexual abuse of two minors made against Fr. William Sprigler in 1976. At the time of the allegations, Fr. Sprigler was a priest of the Archdiocese of…

Fr. Bernard Steiner has returned to limited ministry based on the recommendation of the independent Diocesan Review Board following a completed investigation by police that found no substantial credible evidence to support the abuse allegation made against him.

Fr. James Devorak is returning to active priestly ministry after police cleared him of wrongdoing and following a thorough review by both the Diocese of New Ulm and the Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis.

Bishop John LeVoir today directed attorneys representing the Diocese of New Ulm to file for financial reorganization under Chapter 11 of the U.S. Bankruptcy Code. The Diocese of New Ulm is the third diocese in Minnesota to file for reorganization following the enactment of the Minnesota Child Victims Act, which temporarily lifted the civil statute of limitations on historical childhood sexual abuse claims for a three-year period, which ended on May 25, 2016

The Diocese and those representing victims and survivors continue to work together to come to a fair resolution of claims that allows the work of the Church to continue in our communities. As of May 25, 2016, the date the three-year open window for making civil claims for historical cases of child sexual abuse closed, 101 claims…

For three years, victims and survivors of child sexual abuse had been encouraged to come forward and file a claim for restitution, no matter how long ago the abuse occurred.

“It is a time to recommit to efforts to prevent the abuse of the vulnerable and vow never to forget the lessons of this tragic chapter in Church history.” – Bishop John LeVoir

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

I am writing because a number of parishes in the Diocese of New Ulm, including your parish, have recently been sued under the Minnesota Child Victims Act. As you may know, the Minnesota Child Victims Act removed for three years the civil statute of limitations for historical cases of child sexual abuse. The deadline to file a claim is May 25, 2016.

Everyone called to participate in National Child Abuse Prevention Month The “Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People” of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) says, “In Matthew 25, the Lord, in his commission to his apostles and disciples, told them that whenever they show mercy and compassion to the least…