In Latest Test of Metropolitan Model, One Minnesota Bishop is Set to Investigate Another
In June, the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops approved a new model for investigating claims of wrongdoing by bishops. Now, that model is being put to the test in Minnesota and survivor advocates will be watching the outcome closely.
This just-announced investigation is being run by Archbishop Bernard A. Hebda of Minneapolis – St. Paul. The archbishop will look into allegations that Bishop Michael Hoeppner of the Diocese of Crookston “carried out acts or omissions intended to interfere with or avoid civil or canonical investigations of clerical sexual misconduct in the Diocese of Crookston.” Given the pattern of obfuscation that we have learned about over the years and which was covered in painstaking detail and termed “the circle of secrecy” in last year’s Pennsylvania Grand Jury report, we are not surprised by these allegations.
But rather than have these allegations investigated internally, we believe that it should be secular law enforcement who is investigating Bishop Hoeppner and his diocese, not fellow church officials. This new model of “investigation” has come about only because of public outrage and pressure and remains an internal review of bishops policing bishops. Making matters worse, what we have seen so far has not given us confidence.
The first test of the “Metropolitan Model” came when Archbishop William Lori of Baltimore was tasked with investigating the financial and sexual crimes of Bishop Michael Bransfield of West Virginia. In our opinion, that test was a massive failure. In his final report on the investigation, Archbishop Lori scrubbed any mention of the lavish gifts and monetary exchanges between Bishop Bransfield and some of his brother bishops, including Archbishop Lori himself. That rocky start to the new internal investigation process gives us little hope that the investigation in Minnesota will be any more complete or transparent.
Institutions cannot police themselves. We hope that members of the public, witnesses, or whistleblowers will report any suspected wrongdoing – by the Diocese of Crookston or anywhere else in Minnesota – to Attorney General Keith Ellison. We also hope that any victims who are still suffering in silence will find the strength to come forward and get help from secular sources of healing.
CONTACT: Zach Hiner, SNAP Executive Director ([email protected], 517-974-9009)
(SNAP, the Survivors Network, has been providing support for victims of sexual abuse in institutional settings for 30 years. We have more than 25,000 survivors and supporters in our network. Our website is SNAPnetwork.org)
Winter Appeal 2023
To our friends,
2023 has been a long year with many ups and downs for us all. As we close out the year, we at SNAP hope that you are feeling like you are on your way to being healthy, fulfilled, and happy. This past year has brought both successes and challenges. Thanks to the support you have shown in the past, we’ve been able to celebrate the good days and weather the stormy ones. Now, we are once again asking for your support as we work to support survivors new and old as we ‘Move SNAP Forward.’
At SNAP we are proud to have hosted a very well-attended conference in August 2023. This event allowed us to gather friends, survivors, advocates, and allies for a weekend of camaraderie and connection. We were so happy to be able to welcome many first-time attendees to gather in person and are already looking forward to the next conference.
To strengthen our movement for justice, healing, and prevention, SNAP will be expanding our peer support and providing more volunteer opportunities in the coming year. Through this great work, we are ensuring survivor voices are represented as we work for significant change that will benefit children and survivors.
Right now, survivors worldwide are getting the help they need from SNAP, and more and more reach out to us daily, but we need your help to keep those programs going and get our volunteers the training they need to thrive.
Your tax-deductible gift to SNAP can help offset the cost of our important mission. If you are not in a position to contribute, you can still support us by sharing this letter with those who can. As we continue to fight for survivors across the globe, your donation or sharing the great work SNAP does will help us continue our work to protect the vulnerable, heal the wounded, and prevent abuse.
Your donation ensures SNAP will be there for those who need us more than ever!
Warmly,
Michael W. McDonnell, C.P.S.
Interim Executive Director