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Friday, March 29, 2024

Sex abuse claims against deceased New Brighton pastor under investigation

The Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis is investigating an accusation of sexual abuse against a priest who served 27 years at St. John the Baptist in New Brighton and died in 1980.

Msgr. Paul Koscielniak, the parish’s pastor from 1950-1977, has been accused of abusing an altar server multiple times between 1969 and 1975, when the boy was between the ages of 10 and 15.

In a Feb. 20 statement to the parish about the allegation, its parochial administrator Father Paul Shovelain said he was recently approached about the allegation and immediately notified Tim O’Malley, the archdiocese’s director Ministerial Standards and Safe Environment.

“While I have heard hundreds of positive stories about Monsignor Koscielniak, this claim must be investigated thoroughly and thus I am following the steps outlined by the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis,” Father Shovelain said in the statement.

He noted that the alleged victim/survivor’s family contacted the archdiocese about the accusation years ago, but it was not investigated. “Frankly, allegations such as this are handled differently by the archdiocese today,” Father Shovelain said. “Now, this matter will be addressed in accord with current archdiocesan polices and procedures.”

Since making their accusation to Father Shovelain, members of the victim/survivor’s family have met with Bishop Andrew Cozzens, O’Malley and Ramsey County Attorney John Choi.

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In a separate statement to the parish, Archbishop Bernard Hebda said that “all such allegations are taken seriously and investigated thoroughly in an effort to determine factually what occurred.”

“There should be no presumption of guilt or wrongdoing,” he said. “Facts will determine the outcome. In accord with archdiocesan policy, this matter will be investigated and referred to the Ministerial Review Board for a recommendation regarding whether the allegation is substantiated or not.”

The Office of Ministerial Standards and Safe Environment is investigating the claim and are seeking assistance from anyone with pertinent information. Investigator Jane Laurence can be contacted at 612-961-8867 or laurencej@archspm.org. 

“We will continue to cooperate with the archdiocese and work to bring about the truth of what happened,” Father Shovelain said.

Msgr. Koscielniak, who retired in 1977, was the parish’s longest-serving pastor. He founded and expanded the parish school and oversaw the building of a new convent, rectory and church. He died in a boat accident on Mille Lacs.

 


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