St. Cloud Diocese Named in Civil Lawsuit Over Sex Abuse Case

ST. CLOUD -- The Diocese of St. Cloud has been named as a defendant in a civil lawsuit involving a priest who has been accused of sexual abusing a minor.

Father Antonio Marfori was charged last October with sexually abusing a student while he was a teacher at St. Cloud Cathedral High School in the late 1970's.

A statement from the Diocese indicates they are reviewing the civil complaint against them and that there had been no reports of sexual misconduct by Father Marfori prior to the October 2015 complaint.

Bishop Donald Kettler removed Father Marfori from his priestly duties while the allegations are being investigated.

The statement says Bishop Kettler held a series of listening sessions last month to assure parishioners of his support and assistance, to offer a process for sexual misconduct issues and concerns to be voiced, and to allow other victims the opportunity to come forward and receive assistance and healing.

Father Marfori has worked at several other locations in the Diocese including St. Francis Xavier in Sartell, St. Paul's in Sauk Centre, St. Agnes in Roscoe, and St. Margaret in Lake Henry. He has also performed diocesan duties in Zimmerman, Kimball, Brennyville, Gilman and Morrill.