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Archdiocesan Settlement:
The news media has been somewhat inaccurate in their reporting about the bankruptcy settlement. The news seems to say that part of the settlement is being paid for my parishes. This is NOT accurate. Nearly $3 million is being paid by people and parishes VONUNTARILY paying money directly to the victim’s fund. No parish has been required to pay anything. The parish of St. Joseph the Worker asked people if they wanted to give towards the settlement and we received about $2500 for individuals. NO PARISH MONEY went to the settlement. Our Pastoral and Finance Councils agreed that we would not give anything as a parish but invite people to give if they wanted to. It is anticipated that the settlement will become final about the middle of October. At that point all money pledged by insurance companies and the Archdiocese needs to be placed in the fund. At that point the money raised by those who want to give will also be added to the fund. Please note that the parish continues to use all of your contributions to fund our ministries. No money has gone or will go towards the settlement.
Fr. Mike
Dear People of St. Joseph’s,
Thankfully the long drawn out settlement by the Archdiocese and the victims of abuse is over. Now the arbiter will decide how the money will be distributed. Several good things have come out of this. First is that the victims have been heard. With their push the church has done an about face in how they deal with allegations of abuse and working on a just resolution. Second is that with the financial settlement some of their expenses can be reimbursed. For many this will help repay the cost of counseling. Nothing can replace the loss of trust in the church and the loss of many relationships. For those things I am deeply sorry for the way the church acted. Yet another good thing is that with a new way of dealing with abuse the church has discovered that this is a multi-tiered problem. It deals with victims, the families of victims, parishes, the abuser and the priests who were intentionally kept in the dark about their fellow priests engaged in these terrible acts. I do want to apologize for the behavior of past bishops and priests who did nothing or worse, did the exact opposite of seeking a just resolution.
I do want you to know that I feel as if your children are my children. I am angry that someone would hurt “my” child and empathize with parents whose children have been harmed. I am glad to be able to tell you that there has never been an allegation against any priest or employees of St. Joseph the Worker in Maple Grove. I ask you to work with me in seeing that there never is such a situation here. Thank you.
Fr. Mike and Fr. Don.
Watch the Settlement Announcement Video
Download +HEBDA LETTER TO FAITHFUL END OF BANKRUPTCY 6-1-18 -