May 6, 2015
Father Brian Lederer, a priest of the Diocese of Duluth, was arrested in Hibbing May 5 as a result of allegations of sexual misconduct with a minor. While the circumstances leading to his arrest are currently unknown to us and while we believe Father Lederer is entitled to the presumption of innocence, we take this development very seriously and are monitoring it closely. We will cooperate fully with civil authorities in any investigation and, as more facts emerge in this case, we will uphold our responsibilities to civil law, to church law and under our policies and procedures for the protection of young people. We continue to pray for all those affected by sexual abuse and urge anyone who has been a victim of it to come forward to church authorities and to civil authorities.
Father Lederer, 29, was ordained in June 2012 and is parochial vicar at Blessed Sacrament Parish in Hibbing.
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