Former Crookston Diocese Bishop to continue with retirement

(Crookston, MN) -- Former Diocese of Crookston Bishop Michael Hoeppner is not being allowed to return after resigning last year.  

Bishop Andrew Cozzens announced in a letter Monday that Hoeppner has agreed to not return to the ministry in the Diocese of Crookston. Pope Francis asked for Hoeppner's resignation last year after a Vatican investigation found he had interfered with clergy abuse investigations.

When he was departing the Diocese of Crookston last April, Bishop Hoeppner publicly stated that he hoped to return to the diocese at the invitation of the new bishop," said Bishop Cozzens in the letter. "I have spoken with him, and he has agreed to not return to do any ministry in the Diocese of Crookston."

The Catholic News Agency says that Hoeppner is reported to have pressured an alleged victim to drop his abuse allegation against a priest, failed to follow mandatory reporting laws, and didn't follow protocols designed to monitor priests accused of misconduct. Cozzens also reported that Hoeppner's retirement benefits are being reduced.

You can read the full letter released by the Diocese in Crookston here.