HomeMy WebLinkAbout2015 10-20 Maplewood priest barred from ministry temporarily PIONEER PRESS Maplewood priest barred from ministry temporarily
TwinCities.com
Updated:fOR02015 0825:34 PM CDT
,� .... � . Dec 8:
• Maplewood priest Mark Huberty acquitted of sexual misconduct with woman
• Dec 5:
• Ex-Maplewood priesYs criminal sex case goes to jury
• Dec 3:
� ,�� , • Ex-Maplewood priest:Woman testifies'friendship'for Huberty meant'sexual things'
� � 4"�'`'* . Dec 2:
: ,� • Ex-Maplewood priest:sex predator or victim?
� ' " • Dec 1:
;;_ �' • Jury selection starts in former Maplewood priesYs sex case
� • May 15:
� � • Woman in Maplewood priest's sex case gets threatening letters,prosecutor says
° �-' • May 1:
� ' • Ma lewood riest in sex case involved with other women,prosecutor says
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• Mar 24:
Mara a�a.ew H�berty�co��aFSy . Maplewood priest in sex misconduct case faces new charge
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• Maplewood priest faces trial in sex misconduct case,judge rules
• Dec 1 S:
• Maplewood priest accused of sex misconduct appears in court
• Nov 19:
• Maplewood priest fondled female parishioner,charges say
• Oct 10:
• Woman says Maplewood priest led her into sexual relationship
• Sep 23:
• Maplewood priest takes leave of absence;woman accuses him of inappropriate touching
The Archdiocese of St.Paul and Minneapolis said Tuesday that it is temporarily removing from ministry a priest who was acquitted last year of
sexual misconduct with a female parishioner.
The archdiocese launched its investigation into the Rev.Mark Huberty after the criminal case ended and determined the priest might have violated
canon law,according to a statement from Archbishop Bernard Hebda.
While the internal investigation,or canonical process,unfolds,Huberty is barred from performing ministerial duties;he cannot"wear a Roman collar
or present himself as a priest publicly,"the statement said.
"Removing a priest from ministry,even temporarily,is gravely serious to me and to the Church,"Hebda's statement said."But based on the
evidence and testimony from those involved,this is the proper course of action."
The archdiocese said"some serious allegations"had come to its attention.The Ministerial Review Board"found that there was sufficient evidence to
suggest Rev.Huberty may have committed a serious offense under canon law,"according to the statement.
A spokesman for the archdiocese declined to specify the allegations against Huberty.
Huberty,45,of Mendota Heights,declined comment Tuesday.
Huberty was previously assigned to Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Maplewood. He was placed on leave in September 2013,around the
time allegations surfaced that he had a pastoral relationship that became sexual with an adult parishioner,and has been on leave since.
He was charged in Ramsey County District Court with fourth-and fifth-degree criminal sexual conduct.The first charge alleged he had sexual
contact with the woman while providing spiritual aid or comfort in private.Under Minnesota law,that is a felony for a clergy member.
According to the charges,Huberty had a friendship with a woman from his parish that began when she reached out after her brother's death,but
over time it became sexual.The defense argued that the woman had aggressively pursued the relationship and that Huberty was not providing
religious or spiritual guidance when the relationship became intimate.There reportedly was intimate touching and heavy petting,but the pair did not
have intercourse.
A jury acquitted Huberty of both counts in December.
His defense attorney,Paui Engh,said at the time that the ordeal was"a misunderstanding between two adults"and that charges never should have
been filed.
Earlier this year,Huberty filed a claim against the archdiocese in its bankruptcy case,asking the church to cover$46,000 in fegal fees for his
criminal case.Criminal and civil cases have been filed against other priests and bishops,Huberty said in his claim affidavit,"and it is widely known
that their legal expenses have been paid for by the archdiocese."
In the course of their criminal investigation that led to the 2013 charges against Huberty,Maplewood police found evidence the priest had
relationships with other women.
"Investigators were able to identify what appeared to be some repeated conduct of inappropriate relationships with women,"Maplewood police Chief
Paul Schnell said. _
None of the other cases resulted in criminai charges,often because the women didn't want charges to be filed,Schnell said.
Elizabeth Mohr can be reached at 651-228-5162. Follow her at twitter.com/LizMohr.
http://www.twincities.com/news/dakota%20county/ci_28997624/maplewood-priest-barre... 10/21/2015