Anti-Gay Catholic Bishop Is Gay?

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Archbishop John Nienstedt of the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis is well-known for his outspoken sentiments against gays and lesbians and marriage equality. However, “multiple allegations” behind church walls has prompted the Archdiocese to launch an investigation into the Catholic leader on suspicion that Nienstedt had relations with multiple men, including priests and seminarians.

Nienstedt’s story was first reported by the Catholic magazine Commonweal, based on an interview with the archdiocese’s former canon lawyer Jennifer Haselberger. Here is what she told them:

“I believe that the investigators have received about ten sworn statements alleging sexual impropriety on the part of the archbishop dating from his time as a priest in the Archdiocese of Detroit, as Bishop of New Ulm, and while coadjutor and archbishop of St. Paul and Minneapolis. What’s more, he also stands accused of retaliating against those who refused his advances or otherwise questioned his conduct.”

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In response to the story, Nienstedt vehemently denied the charges, saying “I have never engaged in sexual misconduct and certainly have not made any sexual advances toward anyone.” Neinstedt also added that “The allegations do not involve minors or lay members of the faithful, and they do not implicate any kind of illegal or criminal behavior.”

This is not the first time the Archbishop has faced criticism for alleged misconduct.  In December, he was accused of groping a boy at a photo session during his Holy Confirmation. Neinstedt was also accused of helping to cover up the sex abuse scandal within the archdiocese.

In 2012, Nienstedt secured about $650,000 in church money to support a proposed amendment that would ban same-sex marriage in his state. Although the amendment ultimately failed at the polls, despite his considerable efforts to rally Catholics to vote for its passage, Nienstedt continued to oppose same-sex relationships with fiery rhetoric. He claimed that “Sodomy, abortion, contraception, pornography, the redefinition of marriage, and the denial of objective truth” are “threatening the stability of our civilization,” and that the source of those “threats” is Satan.

In 2010, Nienstedt also became infamous for telling a Catholic mom that she had to either reject her gay son or burn in hell forever.  Naturally, many in the Archdiocese have called for Nienstedt to step down.