This week I would like to congratulate two bishops from Minnesota for their outstanding ministry and witness to Christian values: John Quinn and John Nienstedt.

These two bishops have filed a legal motion to force a survivor
of clergy sexual abuse to pay $132,000 so that the bishops may recoup their
legal costs incurred fighting against his claims in court.

The bishops’ move sends a chilling and intimidating signal to other
sexual abuse survivors who may be considering coming forward after years of
suffering silently with their wounds.

“We know that intimidating tactics like these only serve to perpetuate a
culture of secrecy where truth is not welcome and justice is denied,” says
Jim FitzGerald, Executive Director of Call To Action. “While recouping
legal costs may be a tactic in corporate culture, this is no way for our moral
leaders to behave.”

You can send your own congtratulatory notes to these bishops at:

Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis
Most Reverend John C. Nienstedt

Archbishop of St. Paul and Minneapolis
226 Summit Avenue
St. Paul, MN 55102-2197

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Diocese of Winona
Most Reverend John M. Quinn

Bishop of Winona
P.O. Box 588
Winona, MN 55987