Archbishop Hebda: Catholic education needs to be Church priority

The Catholic Spirit asked Archbishop Bernard Hebda to describe the Roadmap for Excellence in Catholic Education and to explain how he hopes it shapes Catholic schools in the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis. He shared his responses by email.

Q. What is the Roadmap for Catholic education?
A. It is essentially a tool that will guide and coordinate the strategic approach of the archdiocese over the next several years to the important work of Catholic schools.

Q. What is the goal?
A. Mothers and fathers need partners in the education of their children. Through a united effort across the archdiocese, parishes partner with families in making Catholic schools available and accessible. The Roadmap for Catholic Education will help the archdiocese sequence steps over the next several years in an effort to ensure that parents and parishes have support that they can count on in Catholic schools now and in the years ahead.

continue at The Catholic Spirit

Related: St. Paul Seminary launches new Institute for Catholic School Leadership

Vatican urged to reveal status of ousted Archbishop Nienstedt

VATICAN CITY – A prominent U.S. archbishop is asking the Vatican for answers about the status of an investigation into alleged sexual misconduct by his predecessor, who was forced to resign in 2015.

St. Paul and Minneapolis Archbishop Bernard Hebda wrote a remarkable letter to his flock Friday in which he revealed he sent the Vatican in 2016 a new allegation of improprieties with minors against retired Archbishop John Nienstedt.

It was not immediately clear if the alleged incident in Germany was ever investigated. Nienstedt has denied the allegation.

continue at FoxNews

Archbishop Hebda bars Nienstedt from celebrating Mass in Twin Cities

Archbishop Bernard Hebda says he is troubled by the Vatican's failure to conclude an investigation into allegations that former Archbishop John Nienstedt behaved inappropriately with young men.

In a post on the archdiocese website, Hebda said that investigative materials were submitted to the Vatican in 2014, but the Vatican apparently halted any investigation of its own when Nienstedt resigned in 2015.

"Thus, the matter remains unresolved for the accusers, for Archbishop Nienstedt and for the public," Hebda wrote. "I share the frustration that is felt by them, and believe this situation highlights the need for a better-defined process and independent mechanism to resolve allegations made against bishops."

Hebda noted that there were later allegations that Nienstedt acted inappropriately with some boys in Germany in 2005, when Nienstedt was a bishop in New Ulm, Minn.

Hebda said that until the allegations are resolved, the former archbishop is prohibited from celebrating mass in the Twin Cities archdiocese. Hebda said he is not suggesting Nienstedt is guilty but "my hope is that this decision prompts further action by those with authority over Archbishop Nienstedt to resolve this question.

continue at MinnPR 

I suspect this is related to the fact that Abp Nienstedt publicly participated in Bishop Morlino funeral last week.

HT Terry

MN Vikings U.S. Bank Stadium gets more religion than just Hail Marys on NFL Sundays

 

Even when 60,000 Vikings fans aren't on the edge of their purple seats hoping for a game-winning miracle, U.S. Bank Stadium's proving to be a draw for the faithful to celebrate and pray.

In the past few months, the two-year-old building has played host to a concert for evangelical youth, the holiest Muslim holiday and on Wednesday, 12,000 Catholic schoolchildren celebrating mass with Archbishop Bernard Hebda. "I've been looking forward to this mass for a whole year," a smiling Hebda told the children. "How many of you believe in miracles?"

Some 70 priests draped in white robes accompanied Hebda, while many students in grades 4-8 wore their school uniforms — dark skirts or pants with red, green, white or blue shirts.

continue at Star Tribune

Abp. Hebda reported to be likely successor of Cdl Wuerl in DC

Sources in Rome have told CNA that on his recent visit, Cardinal Wuerl presented several suggestions for his eventual replacement in Washington. While the list remains confidential, several curial sources told CNA that one bishop named was Archbishop Bernard Hebda, the Archbishop of St. Paul-Minneapolis.

Hebda arrived in Minneapolis as an emergency apostolic administrator in 2015 following the resignation of Archbishop Nienstedt, who was himself accused of sexual misconduct. At the same time, Hebda served as the coadjutor Archbishop of Newark and had been slated to succeed Archbishop John Myers.

While in Newark, Hedba gained a reputation as a reformer with a close interest in archdiocesan affairs, conducting unannounced visits to priests and parishes, and choosing to live on the campus of Seton Hall University where the archdiocesan seminary is housed.

Following his arrival in Minneapolis, Hebda brought the archdiocese through a protracted bankruptcy process, following multiple suits brought against it for cases of sexual abuse.

article at CNA

Just a tidbit on Hebda's tenure in the much troubled Newark Archdiocese:

One priest said that expectations of change were raised during the brief tenure of Archbishop Bernard Hebda, appointed in 2013 to be Myers’ coadjutor archbishop, his successor-in-waiting.

Hebda chose to live in a dormitory at Seton Hall University and was a frequent sight around the archdiocesan seminaries. He was also reported to make unannounced visits to parishes, suddenly knocking at the back doors of rectories or sliding in to a back pew at Sunday Mass.

In 2015, before Hebda could become Newark’s archbishop, he was asked to serve as apostolic administrator of Minneapolis- St. Paul, in the wake of Archbishop John Nienstedt’s resignation. Hebda was appointed Nienstedt’s permanent replacement in 2016.

“He wasn’t kidding around. You could tell he wanted to know everything, who was who and what was what - and who was into what,” one pastor who received a surprise visit from Hebda told CNA.

Abp. Hebda "happy" to have met "helpful" Jeff Anderson, SNAP apologizes for false charges against St Louis priest

KSTP: When I mention the name Jeff Anderson … Is he a nemesis? Or is this someone who has helped the truth come to light?

HEBDA: I'm happy I've had the opportunity to meet him on a number of occasions to work with him. I think he was helpful with the archdiocese, helping us to figure out what's the best way to move forward. So there is certainly a sense of gratitude that's there for that.

The archdiocese has set aside $155 million for settlements with about 400 victims. About $120 million is insurance money. The rest of the money is from the sale of local church properties. The archdiocese has legal bills of about $15 million, which also will be paid out of that pool.

full interview at KSTP

SNAP certainly did have a positive role to play in the abuse scandal, but this is the same Jeff Anderson who wanted to raid parishes for cash and falsified accusations against a St. Louis priest.

Interestingly enough, I see SNAP apologised today(a little late for that but ok) for its hit job on a St Louis priest:

An American support group for victims of clergy abuse has apologized to a Catholic priest who sued them after child molestation charges against him were dropped.

The Archdiocese of St. Louis, Missouri, disclosed on November 27 the apology from the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (SNAP), the Associated Press reported.

"SNAP acknowledges that false claims of clergy sexual abuse injure those clerics falsely accused and the Roman Catholic Church," the group said. The group added that it apologized for "any false or inaccurate statements" related to the accusations against Xiu Hui "Joseph" Jiang that "in any way disparaged" him, the archbishop and other archdiocese officials.

Is SNAP making an effort to move beyond just being ambulance chasers?  Let's look at the fine print:

SNAP confirmed on November 27 that the apology was included in the settlement of the lawsuit. Court records show the case was dismissed on November 21 but gave no details about the settlement.

So maybe not.  I've said many times, there needs to be something like SNAP out there, but an organization that takes a more ethical approach to litigation.

STrib: Archbishop Bernard Hebda has embraced Minnesota — and his flock

Archbishop Bernard Hebda never expected to land in the Twin Cities, but he embraced Minnesota life.

Archbishop Bernard Hebda did not see it coming. The day the Vatican announced he would become the Twin Cities’ new archbishop, he stood before a hastily prepared news conference inside the Cathedral of St. Paul and quipped that if he’d been warned, “I would have brought a better suit and made sure I had a haircut.”

His sartorial selection was the least of his worries on that day last year. The gregarious Hebda, sent to Minnesota months earlier for what was to be a temporary assignment, was suddenly in charge of an archdiocese reeling from a priest sex abuse scandal, bankruptcy, criminal charges filed by Ramsey County, and distrust in the pews. The previous archbishop, John Nienstedt, had resigned under controversy.

More than a year later, the ship has reached calmer waters. The Pittsburgh-born prelate has gained a reputation for spiritual and intellectual depth, thanks in part to degrees from Harvard University and Columbia Law School as well as working 13 years at the Vatican. Although he was being groomed to be archbishop of Newark, New Jersey, when he landed here, Hebda is now planted firmly in his 800,000-member Twin Cities archdiocese. He has embraced Minnesota living, including the Minnesota State Fair, Basilica Block Party, Red Bull Crashed Ice race and countless parish festivals. This interview has been condensed from a longer discussion with the archbishop.

continue at Star Tribune

St. Thomas University to Hold Conference on ‘Conflict to Communion’ to commemorate Reformation

The University of St. Thomas will hold a “Conflict to Communion” conference on Saturday, Oct. 7, at 9 a.m. in McNeely Hall to commemorate the fifth centennial of the beginning of the Reformation.

The conference will feature presentations from Dr. Dirk Lange, professor at Luther Seminary, and Dr. Christian Washburn, professor at Saint Paul Seminary, both members of the International Lutheran-Roman Catholic Commission on Unity. A panel discussion will feature The Most Rev. Archbishop Bernard Hebda of Saint Paul and Minneapolis and The Rev. Bishop Patricia Lull of the Saint Paul Area Synod, ELCA.

The commemoration of the Reformation is not a celebration of the unfortunate events that led to division at the time, but a solemn commemoration of those events from the experience of reconciliation that has brought us from conflict to communion

continue at St. Thomas University

Judge sees progress in Twin Cities archdiocese’s child protection

The Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis remains on track with its agreement to protect children from sex abuse, a Ramsey County District judge said Tuesday morning.

Archdiocese and Ramsey County officials reached a settlement in December 2015 calling for an “aggressive” timeline to implement “substantial” cultural changes after allegations of sex abuse by a priest, Ramsey County Chief Judge Teresa Warner said. The Catholic archdiocese was accused of turning a blind eye toward repeated misconduct in the case.

“There’s no doubt the reason for this settlement is to protect our children,” Warner said. “For the next several years, it’s going to be our North Star, the guiding principle. It’s a good agreement and it’s there for the right reasons.”

continue at Pioneer Press

Also this:

Archbishop Bernard Hebda sat down with 5 EYEWITNESS NEWS after the hearing for a wide-ranging interview on recovering from a bruising past. Archbishop Hebda says he's committed to rebuilding trust in the church and promoting healing for victims.

continue at KSTP 

Abp Hebda elaborates on charge dismissal, Archbishop Nienstedt investigation; "If we believed we were guilty, we would have pled guilty"

Q. You publicly admitted that the archdiocese failed to protect the three children abused by Curtis Wehmeyer, who once served as a priest in this archdiocese. Why didn’t the archdiocese simply plead guilty?

A. If we believed we were guilty, we would have pled guilty. As I discussed the matter with the various consultative bodies in the archdiocese, such as the Finance Council, the Board of the Corporation and the College of Consultors, there was a broad consensus that the archdiocese was not guilty of the crime with which we were charged. Our compelling reasons are set forth in the brief that now appears on the website of the Ramsey County Attorney’s Office.  [not a direct link and I did not find the brief in a quick search]

full interview at The Catholic Spirit

STrib: Thousands welcome Hebda as new Twin Cities archbishop; pledges transparency, accountability

Archbishop Bernard Hebda was installed as the ninth archbishop of the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis Friday afternoon, pledging greater attention to the poor and a more open, accountable church.

Hebda said Twin Cities Catholics have told him they want a church that is “more transparent, more accountable … and more engaged in the work of evangelization.”

“I’m all in,” he told the thousands of supporters who packed the Cathedral of St. Paul.

Hebda also repeatedly said that it’s not possessions, but “only Jesus,” that makes a difference in life. He noted that Jesus sent his apostles out to spread the gospel without provisions, not even walking sticks. He joked that would be the equivalent today of sending them off “without cellphones, Internet, legal counsel …”

Hebda’s first homily as archbishop was warmly received by those who traveled from across the metro and beyond to witness the historic installation of a new archbishop. The ceremony was steeped in ancient tradition, with processions of bishops, priests, sword-carrying Knights of Columbus, Knights and Ladies of the Holy Sepulchre in floor-length robes, and others.

continue at Star Tribune

.@ArchbishopHebda offers a blessing over the Handmaids at @c_dh reception following Installation #NewArchbishop pic.twitter.com/bh4pJ8rabl

— Archdiocese SPM (@ArchdioceseSPM) May 13, 2016

Dozens of St. Paul & Minn. parishes prepare for lawsuits

A number of parishes implicated in child sex abuse claims should prepare for lawsuits related to those allegations to be filed before mid-May, according to the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis.

In a March 30 letter to members of parishes implicated in sexual abuse claims filed against the archdiocese, Archbishop-designate Bernard Hebda called the anticipated lawsuits “a normal part of the litigation process” and urged Catholics to heed Scripture and “do not be afraid.”

Archdiocesan officials have anticipated the suits since it filed for Reorganization under Chapter 11 of the U.S. Bankruptcy Code in January 2015 in response to mounting claims of child sexual abuse by clergy. The archdiocese is aiming to resolve claims against individual parishes as part of its bankruptcy proceedings, but encourages parishes that are sued to consult their own attorneys.

“All parties involved — including dozens of insurance carriers that issued policies over the past six decades — are participating in mediation with the hope of settling the more than 400 sexual abuse claims that have been brought against the archdiocese and that presumably will soon be filed against parishes arising from the same facts,” Archbishop Hebda wrote.

Pastors and parish leaders at affected parishes were encouraged to provide information on the potential lawsuits to parishioners at Masses April 2-3.

Archdiocesan officials said many parishes were already preparing for the potential suits. The suits are related to the 2013 Child Victims Act, which lifted the statute of limitations in Minnesota through May 25 for the filing of civil lawsuits of child sex abuse.

continue at The Catholic Spirit

That's right, they will go after parish funds.

On a side note, I had heard a rumor that Bishop Ricken was in line to get the St. Paul Minneapolis appointment, but something changed at the last minute.  As we saw, Hebda was shocked himself as he expected to go back out east.  Don't get me wrong, I think Hebda is good, but something weird happened there and I'm not sure anybody really knows yet.

Interim administrator Hebda named archbishop of Twin Cities archdiocese

The Rev. Bernard Hebda has been named archbishop of the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis, church officials announced Thursday morning.

Hebda has been the acting leader of the archdioceses since June 15, 2015 after Archbishop John Nienstedt resigned in the wake of a clergy sex abuse scandal, a series of related lawsuits and investigations, and a bankruptcy filing.

Hebda, 56, was appointed Thursday morning by Pope Francis.

Hebda said he was "humbled by this expression of Pope Francis's confidence and honored to serve this Archdiocese with its rich history and its long tradition of extraordinary priests, zealous religious and empowered laity, all working to put their faith into action."

Hedba has been splitting his time between the Twin Cities and Newark, N.J., where he was on track to succeed Archbishop John J. Myers this year. Instead, Hebda will oversee the Twin Cities archdiocese.

continue at Star Tribune

An interesting appointment.  It sounds like he made himself very accessible to the people, which obviously is the sign of a good leader.

Ray sent this:

I was at a small meeting last month, maybe 30-40 parishioners, at Our Lady of Lourdes when he showed up and spoke for a bit.

With all of the problems he will be facing here, financial, organizational, etc., I think we are extremely blessed to have received such a holy and able man as our new Archbishop.