Abp Nienstedt resigns from helping ill Michigan priest after Detriot Free Press pressures diocese

Former St. Paul and Minneapolis Archbishop John Nienstedt has resigned from a temporary post at a Michigan church, “in light of the unintended discord that his presence was causing,” the priest at the church wrote to parishioners Thursday.

The Rev. John D. Fleckenstein, pastor at St. Philip Catholic Church in Battle Creek, said that “anger and fear” had surfaced as a result of Nienstedt’s assignment, which started just two weeks ago. Nienstedt was expected to stay about six months.

Bishop Paul J. Bradley of the Kalamazoo Diocese issued a statement later Thursday, saying he regrets not understanding the “emotional reaction” created by Nienstedt’s arrival.

“Archbishop Nienstedt’s presence has unintentionally brought about a sense of disunity, fear, and hurt to many of you during this brief period of time,” wrote Bradley. “As your spiritual father and shepherd, I regret that more than words can express.”
continue at STrib

7 comments:

Terry Nelson said...

This is sad. They are going after him to destroy him. It's evil.

Badger Catholic said...

Yes, a "white martyr." The attacks seem completely politically motivated without much interest in the details of the matter.

William said...

Something here doesn't pass the smell test. Was it a majority of the parishioners that objected or just a few trouble makers? (Let's face it, all parishes have them.)

William said...

Does anybody at Badger Catholic have a connection to that Michigan parish? It would be mighty interesting to get an insider's take.

Badger Catholic said...

I'd have to find one.

I think basically people were upset because of the BS politically motivated witch hunt that MinnPR and now the Detroit Free Press are on.

Anonymous said...

told you. the freep is a real liberal flame fanner

Kurt said...

I'm sorry. Right or wrong, the objections came from mothers in the parish, a minority or majority I don't know. You can respectfully disagree with her, but the most public of the mothers was no liberal, even if she was misguided in her views.