Thursday , Rev. Joseph Gallatin was removed from ministry activities. He has been pastor at Church of St. Peter in Mendota Heights. According to a statement from Tom Halden, Director of Communications of the Archdioceses :
Today, Rev. Joseph Gallatin was removed from ministry and his case involving an allegation of sexual abuse of a minor has been referred to Rome for adjudication and final resolution.
In 1998, the Archdiocese received an allegation that Rev. Gallatin had inappropriate physical contact with a minor. The matter was considered by three Archdiocesan Review Boards, in 1998, 2002 and 2014. Each time, the earlier Boards concluded that there was not sufficient evidence to support a finding that Rev. Gallatin’s conduct in 1998 constituted sexual abuse of a minor. The 2014 Board recommended that Rev. Gallatin be permitted to continue in limited ministry. Rev. Gallatin’s ministry was restricted accordingly.
Since the 2014 Review Board’s recommendation, additional information from people involved in the 1998 incident has been obtained. The Archdiocese conducted further investigation and, as that information was uncovered, additional restrictions were placed on Rev. Gallatin’s ministry. Last month, investigative results were presented to the newly-formed Ministerial Review Board (MRB). The MRB reviewed the entire matter, including information from years ago, the actions of previous review boards, and investigative information obtained recently.
Jeff Anderson and Associates has a couple fo very helpful links to review:
Joseph Gallatin Priest File
Joseph Gallatin Timeline
The Archdiocese says it has notified the Vatican for final resolution on the case.
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There are many questions here including:
What did they know that wasn’t found previously?
When should they have know what they are acting on now?
Why did they act now?
What affect the bankruptcy of the Archdioceses will have on the potential claim?
It is important that the message keep getting out and that those who give voice to disclosure continue to be supported and representatives of the Church truly practice a policy of zero tolerance. Secrecy and nondisclosure is what this festering scab does not need.Abuse of children and the continued silence by the offenders needs to be prevented. If you suffered, saw, or suspected such events, it is important to know that there is help out there.
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