MADISON, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) — There’s going to be a new probe into clergy abuse.
Attorney General Josh Kaul will be looking into reports of clergy and faith leader abuse, no matter when it occurred. The initiative was announced Tuesday.
“The people of Wisconsin, and especially victims, deserve an independent review of clergy and faith leader abuse,” said Attorney General Kaul. “With this initiative, we are seeking to ensure that survivors of clergy and faith leader abuse have access to needed victim services, to help prevent future cases of sexual assault, and to get accountability to the extent possible.”
The family of Nate Lindstrom, an alleged victim of clergy abuse, says this is a step in the right direction.
“We’ve got a long way to go and we’re grateful for this happening,” Nate’s wife, Karen Lindstrom said.
After months of urging Kaul to open a statewide investigation into clergy abuse, Lindstrom’s family hopes this inquiry will inspire others to come forward.
“This was indeed Nate’s Mission, that we would get to this point. Thus preventing something like this happening to anybody else,” Karen Lindstrom said.
Nate Lindstrom died by suicide about a year ago. Lindstrom’s alleged assaults occurred during his time as a student at Premontre High School, now Notre Dame Academy. There were no criminal charges based off of Lindstrom’s allegations.
Kaul will be working with district attorneys across the state throughout the investigation, including Brown County District Attorney David Lasee.
“To look at, not only are there current criminal prosecutions that we could manage and assist with and if there are certainly cases that are within the statute of limitations that can be prosecuted criminally. We’re going to work hand-in-hand with the Attorney General’s office to ensure that accountability. But also to ensure that the historic crimes are dealt with and that we can connect victims with the services that are needed,” Lasee said.
The DOJ will gather information directly from survivors and their family, friends, and advocates through the contact number. The DOJ also hopes to receive documents and information from dioceses and religious orders in Wisconsin. As part of the review, victim advocates and/or sensitive crimes investigators may follow up with survivors to conduct trauma-informed interviews. To the extent that further investigation is necessary to support potential prosecutions, with the victim’s consent DOJ will refer those cases to local law enforcement and district attorneys.
The DOJ has recently been in contact with the five Catholic dioceses in Wisconsin, as well as several religious orders with priests in Wisconsin, in order to inform them of this review and to discuss next steps.
Kaul hopes religious organizations cooperate throughout the investigation.
“This is an opportunity for us to bring transparency and accountability to a wrong that hasn’t been addressed for far far too long, and it’s my hope that the Diocese and religious orders will work with us cooperatively as part of that effort,” Kaul said.
In response to the initiative, the Diocese of Green Bay issued the following statement:
“The Diocese of Green Bay, along with other Catholic dioceses and religious orders in Wisconsin, participated in the Attorney General’s conference call on Monday, April 26. We understand that this is a review of past cases and does not imply that there are any new allegations against active priests or deacons in the Green Bay Diocese. At this point, we have not received any formal written request from the AG’s office. Once we receive such a request, the diocese will review and respond appropriately at that time.
We wish to emphasize that the Diocese of Green Bay remains dedicated to the protection of children and vulnerable adults. The diocese has, over the past several decades, implemented a variety of tools to ensure the safety of every person in the diocese, including background checks, rigorous safe environment training and education, mandatory reporting mechanisms and outreach to survivors of abuse. As part of this effort, in the fall of 2018, the diocese engaged an independent investigative firm to conduct an outside review of the files of all diocesan priests and deacons. Their review led to the release of our list of clergy with substantiated allegations of sexual abuse of a minor in January 2019. We will continue to walk with victims/survivors in their process of healing.”
The St. Norbert Abbey also issued the following statement:
“St. Norbert Abbey joined the Attorney General on Monday in a meeting during which he talked about a review of historical abuse cases dating back over fifty years. The Attorney General spoke to representatives of the five Wisconsin dioceses as well as other Religious Orders.
The Abbey takes the issue of sexual abuse of minors seriously and has put in place many policies, prevention and education correctives over the past twenty years. In 2019, the Abbey made public the names of members who had substantiated allegations and in 2021 added two names based on new allegations. An independent review board continues to examine every allegation brought forward to the Abbey. These allegations are also reported to law enforcement.
The Abbey is currently undergoing an independent review of its files by the firm of Defenbaugh & Associates, Inc. of Kaufman, Texas. This review will continue until its completion in five to six months. The Attorney General’s office will be outlining additional specific guidelines soon. St. Norbert Abbey looks forward to reviewing this process.”
Survivors, their friends and family, or anyone who has information about the church’s response to abuse are encouraged to report clergy and faith leader abuse online or by calling 1-877-222-2620.
