MINNEAPOLIS, June 15 (UPI) -- Pope Francis has accepted the resignation of two bishops following charges against the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis of covering up the sexual abuse of two boys by a priest.
Archbishop John C. Nienstedt and Bishop Lee A. Piché resigned under a code of canon law allowing them to step down due to illness or a "grave" reason that leaves them unfit for the position.
"In order to give the Archdiocese a new beginning amidst the many challenges we face, I have submitted my resignation as Archbishop of Saint Paul and Minneapolis to our Holy Father, Pope Francis, and I have just received word that he has accepted it," Archbishop of St. Paul and Minneapolis John C. Nienstedt said in a statement. "My leadership has unfortunately drawn attention away from the good works of His Church and those who perform them. Thus, my decision to step down."
Prosecutors in Minnesota filed criminal charges against the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis on June 5 for allegedly failing to protect children from a sexually abusive priest.
The charges stem from the case of former priest Curtis Wehmeyer, 50, who is in prison for sexually abusing two boys while he served at Blessed Sacrament Church in St. Paul. He was also convicted of possessing child pornography and faces sex crimes charges in Wisconsin.
"The people of the Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis need healing and hope. I was getting in the way of that, and so I had to resign," Bishop Lee A. Piché, Auxiliary Bishop of Saint Paul and Minneapolis, said in a statement. "I submitted my resignation willingly, after consultation with others in and outside the Archdiocese. It has been a privilege to serve this local Church and I will continue to hold everyone in the Archdiocese in my prayers."
The Archdiocese is accused of "turning a blind eye" despite repeat allegations of sexual abuse by Wehmeyer.
Danielle Haynes contributed to this report.
