Twin Cities archbishop grilled about clergy sex abuse

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — An attorney says Twin Cities Archbishop John Nienstedt abruptly ended a court deposition about his handling

of clergy sexual abuse allegations in St. Paul and Minneapolis.

Attorney Jeff Anderson told Minnesota Public Radio News the four-hour hearing ended heatedly Wednesday after Anderson asked the archbishop to turn over files of offending priests to law enforcement.

Anderson represents a man who says he was sexually abused by the Reverend Thomas Adamson in the 1970s.

It was the first time Nienstedt has had to answer questions under oath regarding the sexual abuse of children by priests since he became archbishop six years ago. He was not asked about the man who sued the church or about Adamson.

An archdiocese statement said Nienstedt repeatedly stated children's safety is the archdiocese's highest priority.