Report: Archdiocese Knew Of Priest’s Misconduct

ST. PAUL (AP) - When the Rev. Curtis Wehmeyer was accused last year of sexually abusing children, officials from the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis told police he would immediately be relieved of his duties and were praised for their response.

But top archdiocese officials had known of Wehmeyer's sexual compulsions for nearly a decade yet kept him in ministry and failed to warn parishioners.

Wehmeyer is serving a 5-year prison term for sexually abusing two boys and possessing child pornography. He declined to comment, as did Archbishop John Nienstedt.

The Rev. Kevin McDonough, who oversaw child prevention efforts in the archdiocese until he left that role earlier this month, says nothing in what church officials knew about Wehmeyer's behavior indicated he was a threat to children.