Laity Call for Resignation of Bishop Michael Hoeppner

 

A group of faithful Catholics in Minnesota are demanding that their bishop step down. Launching a petition to demand the resignation of Bishop Michael Hoeppner of the diocese of Crookston, the document will be submitted to Cdl. Sean O’Malley, president of the Vatican’s Pontifical Commission for the Protection of Minors. The group cites Hoeppner’s negligence, inaction and mishandling of sexual abuse and child protection, and believe he has failed in his duty to keeping minors in his diocese safe.

Hoeppner has been in the public eye for allegations of sexual abuse cover-up, extensively reported by Church Militant. He has the distinction of being the first bishop in the world to be investigated under the new abuse guidelines set forth by Pope Francis earlier this year.

The petition is seen as an effort to prompt Church officials to do the right thing after numerous missteps by the bishop. Ron Vasek, former candidate for the diaconate, whose son is a priest in the diocese of Crookston, is suing Hoeppner for alleged extortion and threats to keep him from revealing what he knew from his own past experience of sexual abuse by a priest, Msgr. Roger Grundhaus.

Read the rest at Church Militant

When you sign the petition, it will be emailed to Bishop Hoeppner with a copy sent to Archbishop Hebda.

Petition Calling for the Removal of Bishop Michael Hoeppner

We respectfully request the immediate removal of Bishop Michael Hoeppner as Bishop of Crookston. Just as clergy must be removed when found guilty of sexual crimes and sins perpetrated under the guise of holiness and authority, so must a Bishop be held accountable for being a silent accomplice in the crimes and sins committed by clergy in his diocese. By his inaction, deceit and indifference, Bishop Hoeppner has placed our youth in danger of being the next dehumanized statistic in the Church's sexual abuse crisis. Bishop Hoeppner remains stubbornly indignant and seemingly unaware of his complete loss of credibility among Catholics in the Diocese of Crookston. Until a more trustworthy leader is chosen, the Diocese of Crookston and its surrounding community will continue to suffer spiritual, social and financial loss. For these reasons, and to allow for the long process of recovery and rebuilding to begin, we respectfully request the removal of Bishop Hoeppner as Bishop of Crookston.

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