TO: Diocese of Crookston Faithful
FROM: Most Rev. Richard E. Pates, Apostolic Administrator
RE: Allegation Against Father Patrick Sullivan Determined Not Credible
DATE: June 8, 2021
My friends in the Diocese of Crookston,
I am very pleased to inform you that the case of sexual abuse of a minor brought against Father Patrick Sullivan, a Priest of the Diocese of Crookston has been closed by the Congregation of the Doctrine of the Faith of the Vatican. Through a thorough, years’ long investigation, it was determined that the allegation made against Rev. Sullivan “is not credible and therefore unfounded.”
The investigation was conducted under the supervision of Archbishop Bernard Hebda, Archbishop of St. Paul and Minneapolis.
Houston White. Photograph By Nina Robinson
Houston White opened his barbershop, Houston White Men s Room, in north Minneapolis in late 2008. It became a hub for the Camden neighborhood s Black community, prompting White to create a sister business: Houston White Apparel & Accessories, a fashion line for Black excellence. When the dual shocks of Covid-19 and George Floyd s killing hit Minneapolis, White s business ground to a halt, giving him a chance to reimagine Black-owned business in his city. He emerged with a vision and a plan, which he calls Camdentown. As told to Cameron Albert-Deitch
When you think of Black barbershops, you think of a mom-and-pop hole in the wall.
I do with the help of God, Bishop Felton answered. Bishop Daniel Felton celebrates Communion. | Carl Sauer/WDIO
Felton comes from the Diocese of Green Bay. He has been a priest since 1981. He will be the 10th bishop of the Diocese of Duluth since its formation in 1889. I m also probably one of the luckiest bishops in the United States, not only to have a great office looking over the Lake, but I ve got a bishop right across the bridge on the other side who is going to give me all kind of wisdom and all kind of guidance, Felton said, referencing Bishop James Powers of the Diocese of Superior.
While many canon law experts believe the norms in Vos Estis Lux Mundi represent a turning point in the church s efforts to hold bishops accountable, others believe much could be improved upon, including greater transparency on disclosing when investigations are taking place, the need to mandate the use of lay experts, and clarity on the status of bishops removed from office following an investigation. (Unsplash/Markus Winkler)
Two years ago this month, Pope Francis issued a sweeping new church law on bishop accountability, establishing a global system for investigation allegations against bishops of abuse or its cover-up.
Known as
Vos Estis Lux Mundi ( You Are the Light of the World ), the norms encourage but do not mandate the involvement of lay experts in the process of investigating allegations against bishops. When it was signed into law,