MPR News: A Sartell man has asked a Stearns County court to order the Diocese of Saint Cloud to release a list of 26 priests church officials say are credibly accused of sexual abuse.
Robert Ethen, 61, said he was abused in the mid-1960s by the Rev. James Thoennes. Ethen said the abuse occurred when he was 13 years old, while on an overnight trip with Thoennes to the home of the priest’s mother in Sauk Centre.
Lawsuits filed over the release of accused individuals lists often focus on transparency and the public’s right to know about credible allegations. These legal actions may seek the release of documents, personnel files, and internal records related to abuse allegations. Increased transparency is often seen as an important step in protecting children and preventing future abuse.