Assignment Record– Rev. Thomas Adamson

Summary of Case: Ordained a priest of the Winona diocese in 1958, Adamson has been accused of sexually abusing at least 37 children during his 25 years in the priesthood, and is said by experts to have possibly abused as many as 100 boys. He was transferred to the St. Paul-Minneapolis archdiocese in 1975 after multiple complaints by families that he was sexually abusing boys in Winona. Adamson's sexual abuse of boys continued in the Twin Cities archdiocese. He underwent psychiatric evaluation and treatment numerous times over the decades. Adamson was placed on leave in December 1984, after victims began surfacing and filing lawsuits. He has admitted to sexual misconduct with boys beginning in 1961 and throughout his career. After his dismissal from active ministry, Adamson went on to live in Eau Claire, WI, where he took classes at the University of Wisconsin, and worked as a clerk and nursing home activities assistant. The Winona diocese announced in March 2012 that Adamson had returned to his home town of Rochester, and that he was not permitted on diocesan church or school property. He was laicized in 2009.

Born: July 12, 1933
Ordained: May 31, 1958


Start Stop Assignments Town/Accusations State Position Notes

June 13, 1958

Winona bishop was Edwin Aloysius Fitzgerald (1949-1969).

June 16, 1961 St. Casmir's

Winona

 

MN 2/2. Assistant. Pastor was Msgr. Julius W. Haun, who was also a synodal judge in the Tribunal.  
June 13, 1958 June 16, 1961 Cotter High School Winona MN Instructor. Principal was Rev. James D. Habiger. Cotter High School had 378 students.
June 13, 1958 June 16, 1961 Cotter High School Winona      
June 16, 1961 Aug. 16, 1962 St. Adrian's Adrian
Adamson sexually abused an eighth-grade boy beginning in about 1961, a "relationship" that went on for over 10 years, until the boy was a young man about to be ordained a priest.
MN Assistant Pastor  
June 16, 1961 Aug. 16, 1962 St Adrian's High School Adrian MN Assistant Principal  
Aug. 16, 1962 Aug. 20, 1963 Lourdes High School

Rochester

 

MN Assistant Principal. Principal was Rev. Donald G. Leary. Lourdes High School had 703 students.
Aug. 20, 1963 Nov. 30, 1964 St. John the Baptist's

Caledonia

In July 2012 a former priest of the Winona diocese, Jim Fitzpatrick, stated publicly that when Adamson was in Caledonia, parents complained to him about that Adamson was abusing their sons and about 15 other boys there.

Adamson was accused in a 2013 lawsuit of repeatedly raping a 12-year-old St. John's altar boy in the early 1960s.

MN Assistant Fitzpatrick said he went to the bishop who "showed [him] the door".
Aug. 20, 1963 Nov. 30, 1964 Catholic Schools

Caledonia

In a 2014 deposition Adamson said he admitted to Bishop Fitzgerald as early as 1964 that he had abused a 14-year-old boy. He said he also abused another boy during the same time period but that Fitzgerald didn't ask him if he had abused other children.

MN Superintendent  
Nov. 30, 1964 June 15, 1967 Lourdes High School

Rochester

Adamson was accused of a "sexual indiscretion" with a boy in Rochester in 1967.

MN Assistant Principal

Bishop Fitzgerald told Adamson to control his sexual behavior in 1964, per a psychiatric history given by Adamson.

In 1967 Fitzgerald sent Adamson to a Rochester psychiatrist who was a member of Adamson's congregation.

June 8, 1966 June 15, 1967 St. Clement's Hammond MN Administrator  
June 15, 1967 Aug. 14, 1968 St. Theodore's Albert Lea MN Assistant Pastor  
    Lea College Albert Lea MN Newman Center Chaplain  

Aug. 14, 1968

Fitzgerald was succeeded as WInona bishop by Loras Joseph Watters (1969-1986).

June 15, 1971 St. Lawrence O'Toole Fountain MN    
Aug. 14, 1968 June 15, 1971 St. Kilian's Wycoff MN    
June 15, 1971 6/1974 St. Francis of Assisi

Rochester
Adamson was accused of the sexual abuse of another boy in the spring of 1974.

MN Pastor

St. Francis had a school.

 

June 1974 Aug. 1974 Institute of Living Hartford CT patient Just before his stay at the Institute of Living, Adamson began to see a priest-psychologist in the archdiocese of St. Paul-Minneapolis.
Aug. 1974 Dec. 31, 1974 St. Francis of Assisi Rochester MN   In 1974 the brother of the alleged victim from 1961 who went on to become a priest, learned of his brother's abuse by Adamson. This was after the young priest was sent to treatment for chemical dependency and disclosed the alleged abuse. In Dec. 1974 the brother confronted Bishop Watters, saying that if Adamson wasn't removed form ministry he and the family would take the podium during Adamson's sermon and tell the congregation about the abuse. Adamson resigned that Sunday.

June 6, 1975

St. Paul and Minneapolis archbishop was John Robert Roach (1975-1995).

  University of Minnesota Minneapolis MN graduate studies Bishop Watters is said to have asked the St. Paul and Minneapolis archdiocese to take Adamson, alluding to "incidents" that occurred in " at least five different communities across the entire diocese … over a 15-year span."
Jan. 6, 1975 Feb. 10, 1976 St. Leo the Great St. Paul MN    
Feb. 10, 1976 June 1, 1976 St. Boniface St. Bonifacius MN    
June 17, 1976 June 13, 1979 St. Thomas Aquinas

St. Paul Park

Adamson was accused in a 1987 lawsuit of having sexually abused a St. Thomas altar boy over a two-year period, beginning when the boy was 13- years-old in 1977. Adamson admitted to the abuse in depositions.

Adamson was arrested in Aug. 1977 after a 16-year-old boy reported to police that Adamson had sexually assaulted him. The boy had been hitchhiking, a guy named "Tom" picked him up, took him golfing, then tried to grab his genitals in a sauna. The boy told his mother, who called police. The police said to tell them if "Tom" contacted him again; they arrested Adamson after he showed up to meet the boy for another game of golf.

By 1988 three other boys from St. Thomas alleged Adamson sexually abused them between 1976 and 1979.

Adamson was accused in a May 2013 lawsuit of engaging in "unpermitted sexual contact" with a St. Thomas altar boy between 1976 and 1977.

MN Associate

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Adamson admitted to police that he tried to touch the boy's penis. He was charged by Dakota County authorities with "indecent liberties", but was released and not prosecuted for that. The case was given to Mendota Heights police who charged Adamson with indecent exposure, which was a misdemeanor . Adamson testified that he was sent for a psychiatric evaluation. The psychiatrist, who gave Adamson a reduced rate due to his status as a priest wrote, "This man has clinical psychiatric difficulties in the form of conflictual homosexual feelings. He is not a criminal type and very definitely is not a person who wishes to go out and hurt others. As such, he does not represent a danger in an open
community
."

June 13, 1979 Dec. 29, 1980 Immaculate Conception

Columbia Heights

In Nov. 1980 a fellow priest reported to archdiocesan officials that Adamson had been molesting an eighth grade boy at Immaculate Conception.

Adamson was accused in a lawsuit that was settled in 1991 of sexually abusing a boy from 1979-1987, beginning shorlty after Adamson's arrival at Immaculate Conception, when the boy was 13 years-old.

MN Administrator

In November 1980 Adamson confessed the abuse to a priest at the chancery, Fr. Robert Carlson, who told him he would have to resign from the parish and enter treatment. The victim's parents met with Carlson, who told them "something would be done; Carlson is also said to have told him it was an "isolated incident". Officials claimed that at the time they thought Adamson's previous sexual problems involved adult males only. In Dec. 1980 names of other possible victims of Adamson surfaced. Carlson went on to become a bishop.

Fr. Fitzpatrick stated in July 2012 that when he learned in 1981 that Adamson was to be assigned to his parish in Oakdale, he contacted Winona chancellor, Rev. Donald Schmitz. He said Schmitz told him Adamson was still abusing boys. Fitzpatrick said he then discussed this with Bishop Roach, and Adamson was assigned to Risen Savior in Apple Valley, rather than Oakdale.

Jan. 4, 1981 Jan. 23, 1981 St. Mary's Hospital   MN patient  
Feb. 2, 1981 Jan. 15, 1985 Risen Savior

Apple Valley

In a 1987 lawsuit, Adamson was accused of sexually abusing a 13-year-old boy from this area in Oct. 1982. Adamson was said to have tried to touch the boy's genitals in a whirlpool at an athletic facility. The diocese said they learned of the incident in March 1983. Adamson, at the time, admitted the two were naked in the whirlpool but said he was only "tickling" the boy.

In 2006 a man filed a lawsuit claiming Adamson molested him when he was a teenager and Risen Savior parishioner, in 1980 or 1981. The man said he had repressed his memories of the abuse until they were triggered in 2002 by reports of a widespread clergy abuse scandal in the U.S.

MN Associate Pastor

As a condition of his assignment to Risen Savior, Adamson was instructed to have no contact with youth or with anyone from Immaculate Conception, among other things.

In June 1981 rumors of Adamson being in contact with boys began again, and continued for the next three years.

In a June 1984 memo, Archbishop Roach stated to Bishop Carlson regarding an Adamson victim whose parents he was going to be meeting, "The statute of limitations does not run out for 2 1/2 years. The mother and father are considering reporting this to the police."

Archbishop Roach is said to have asked Bishop Watters to recall Adamson to Winona, saying "Adamson has had certain complaints made about him and his involvement with juvenile males", and that he would need "extensive in-patient treatment" before he could be assigned again.

Adamson was placed on leave of absence Dec. 22, 1984. He was sent for five days to the Servants of the Paraclete's St. Michael's Center in St. Louis for a psychiatric evaluation.

Dec. 22, 1984   Leave of Absence        
Feb. 11, 1985 April 1985 St. Michael’s Center St. Louis MO patient

This was a Servants of the Paraclete facility.

April 1985

Winona diocese

1987  

 

A 2014 deposition revealed that there were allegations of abuse from 1987.

   

Former Winona Bishop Watters stated under oath in 1986 that he never knew what Adamson's specific problems were until 1984; however, Adamson said in a deposition that Watters confronted him in 1973 about a rumor of sexual misconduct by Adamson toward a boy.

St. Paul-Minneapolis auxiliary bishop Robert Carlson stated that the diocese "had no knowledge of" problems with Adamson until 1980.

1987     Eau Claire WI student; clerk; nursing home activities assistant In 1988 Adamson was taking classes at the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire. As of 2007 he was living in Altoona, WI, just outside of Eau Claire.
  March 2012     MN   Adamson was laicized in 2009.

March 2012

John Michael Quinn is Winona bishop
(2009- ).

    Rochester    

Adamson's move back to Minnesota was announced by the Winona diocese in March 2012. The diocese stated it notified all parishes and schools and that Adamson was told he was not permitted on diocesan church or school premises.

In July 2012 the 2006 lawsuit by a former Risen Savior boy against Adamson was thrown out by the state Supreme Court, which ruled that repressed memory theory is unproven. With that went the possibility that the names of 46 other credibly accused Minnesota priests would be revealed.

In a May 2014 deposition Adamson admitted to sexually abusing at least ten boys from the 1960s to the mid-1980s and added, when asked, that he didn't really know how many he had abused. The plaintiff's attorney had a list of the names of 37 men claiming they were abused by Adamson as boys.



 

Sources: Official Catholic Directory (New York: P.J. Kenedy and Sons, 1959-1985)

Church Assignment Record
Diocese of Winona Assignment Record

1980s
Memo from Archbishop Roach to Bishop Carlson, June 29, 1984
Minnesota Regional News , Minn., United Press International, February 3, 1987
The Most Rev. Robert Carlson, United Press International, February 15, 1987
St. Paul, MN , United Press International, April 14, 1988
“Don’t Tell Anybody ... You’ll Get in Trouble, and So Will I”, First of Three Parts, By Bob Ehlert, Star Tribune, December 11, 1988
Lawyer Found Priest Had Abused Other Youths, Second of Three Parts, By Bob Ehlert, Star Tribune, December 12, 1988
Secrets Finally Become Matter of Public Record, Third of Three Parts, By Bob Ehlert, Star Tribune, December 13, 1988
Columbia Heights, Minn., United Press International, September 20, 1989

1990s
Anoka, Minn., United Press International, November 3, 1990
Jury Awards $3.555 Million to Man Sexually Abused by Priest, United Press International, December 7, 1990
Jury's Award Reduced in Priest Molestation Suit, Chicago Tribune, May 2, 1991
Court Upholds Punitive Damages against Church in Sex Case, United Press International, March 24, 1992
High Court Won't Hear Adamson Abuse Case, By Donna Halvorsen, Star Tribune, May 23, 1992

2002-2009
Minnesota Faced Allegations of Abuse by Priests Decade Ago, By Margaret Zack, Star Tribune, April 13, 2002
Minnesota Cases That Made Headlines, By Linda Scheimann, Star Tribune, February 28, 2004
Man Sues Two Dioceses, Claims Abuse, Former Apple Valley Priest Accused, By Steve Scott, Pioneer Press [Minnesota], April 25, 2006
Sins of Thy Neighbor, By Trish Van Pilsum, My Fox Twin Cities [Minnesota], February 1, 2007
Man Seeking Punitive Damages against Former Diocese of Winona Priest Accused of Sexual Abuse, By Kevin Behr, Winona Daily News, January 12, 2008
Rev. Thomas Adamson Timeline, St. Louis Post-Dispatch, July 3, 2009

2012
Winona Diocese Warns of Admitted Sex Abuser's Return to Rochester, By Christina Killion Valdez,The Post-Bulletin, March 2, 2012
State Supreme Court Tosses Lawsuit against Archdiocese, By Abby Simons, Star Tribune, July 25, 2012
Statement of Jeff Anderson Re: Minnesota Supreme Court Decision - John Doe 76c V. Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis and Diocese of Winona, Jeff Anderson & Associates, July 25, 2012
Adamson Assignment Record, Winona diocese
Crookston Times: Court Rejects Adamson Abuse Case Based on Keenan's Repressed Memory, Jeff Anderson & Associates, July 27, 2012
Former Diocese of Winona Priest Describes Encounter with Bishop, Concerns about Adamson Abuse, By Jerome Christenson, LaCrosse Tribune, July 27, 2012
Getting to the Truth: Coming Forward on the Diocese of Winona Abuse, By Mike Bryant, Legal Examiner, August 30, 2012

Feb.-May 2013
Child Victims Act Would Eliminate Time Limit to Sue Child Abusers, By Sasha Aslanian, Minnesota Public Radio , February 13, 2013
Jim Fitzpatrick: Child Sexual Abuse Victims Should Be Able to Seek Justice, By Jim Fitzpatrick, Winona Daily News, April 28, 2013
The Courage of One, Patrick J. Wall, May 20, 2013
Former Priest Named in First Sex-abuse Lawsuit under New Minnesota Law, By Richard Chin, Pioneer Press, May 29, 2013
Former Winona Diocese Priest to Be Named in Civil Suit, Winona Daily News, May 29, 2013
First Lawsuit Filed under New Sex Abuse Law, By Madeleine Baran , MPR news, May 30, 2013, May 30, 2013
Suit Filed against Former Winona Priest, By Jerome Christenson, Winona Daily News, May 30, 2013
New Minnesota Law Spawns Fresh Lawsuits over Decades-old Priest Sex Abuse, Press TV, May 31, 2013

Aug.-Sept. 2013
Doe 16 v Diocese of Winona, 3rd District Court, Winona MN, Aug. 27, 2013
Diocese of Winona Named As Defendant in Sex Abuse Lawsuit, KAAL, August 29, 2013
Lawsuit Seeks Names of 13 Priests Accused of Abuse, By Kay Fate, Post-Bulletin, August 29, 2013
Altar Boy Named in Priest Suit, Winona Daily News, August 30, 2013
Alleged Sex Abuse Victim Speaks Out, By Jeron Rennie, KIMT, August 30, 2013
Iowa Man Files Abuse Lawsuit against Diocese of Winona, KTTC, August 31, 2013
Archbishop Robert Carlson: Old Files Shed Light on Long History of Handling Sex Abuse Scandals, By Sam Levin, Riverfront Times, September 16, 2013

Dec. 2013
Judge Orders Names of Accused Priests Released, By Emily Gurnon, Pioneer Press, December 2, 2013
Winona Diocese Says It Will Comply with Judge's Order to Release List of Priests Credibly Accused of Abuse, By Jerome Christenson, The Winona Daily News, December 4, 2013
Priests with Credible Claims against Them of Sexual Abuse of a Minor, The Catholic Spirit, December 5, 2013
Former Fridley Priest on List of Accused Priests, By James Warden, Patch, December 5, 2013
St Paul & Minneapolis List of Credibly Accused Priests released Dec. 5 2013
Archdiocese Names 34 Priests Accused of Sexually Abusing Minors, By Tony Kennedy, Star Tribune, December 5, 2013
Priest on Archdiocese List in Albert Lea in ’60s, Albert Lea Tribune, December 7, 2013
Abuse Survivors Hoping Release of Priest List Prompts Other Victims to Come Forward, By Beth Hawkins, The MinnPost, December 6, 2013
Lawsuit Alleges Child Sex Abuse by Golden Valley Priest in 1962, By Emily Gurnon, Pioneer Press, December 10, 2013
Judge Allows Nuisance Claim to Proceed, Jeff Anderson & Associates, December 10, 2013
Case Seeking Clergy Files from Twin Cities Archdiocese, Winona Can Go Forward., By Jean Hopfensperger, Star Tribune, December 10, 2013
Diocese of Winona Case Moves Forward, The Winona Daily News, December 11, 2013
4 Former Local Priests Included in List of Accused Priests, Albert Lea Tribune, December 16, 2013
Diocese of Winona Statement and List of Accused Priests with Assignments , Dec. 16, 2013
Accused Former Columbia Heights Priest Also on Winona Diocese List, By James Warden, Patch, December 16, 2013
Winona Priests "Credibly Accused" of Child Sex Abuse Disclosed, By Emily Gurnon, Pioneer Press, December 16, 2013
Winona Diocese Releases Names of Accused Child Abusers, By Kay Fate, The Post-Bulletin, December 16, 2013
Diocese of Winona Releases Names of Priests Accused of Child Abuse, By Jean Hopfensperger, The Star Tribune, December 16, 2013
Former Priest Now Advocates for Priest Abuse Victims, By Kay Fate, The Post-Bulletin, December 17, 2013
"Forced Release" of Priests" Names Not Enough, By Kay Fate, The Post-Bulletin, December 17, 2013
Reconciliation Begins with Disclosure of Accused Priests, Post-Bulletin, December 20, 2013

Jan. 2014
Judge Grants Archdiocese More Time to Name Accused Priests, By Emily Gurnon, Pioneer Press, January 3, 2014
Judge Gives Archdiocese More Time to Name Accused Priests, By Jean Hopfensperger, Star Tribune, January 3, 2014
Judge Orders Winona Diocese to Release List of All Priests Accused of Abuse since 2004, By Madeleine Baran, Winona Daily News, January 4, 2014
Twin Cities, Winona Church Leaders Seek Delay in Naming More Accused Catholic Priests, By Madeleine Baran, Minnesota Public Radio, January 13, 2014
Archdiocese Seeks More Time to Challenge Order to Name Priests, By Jean Hopfensperger, Star Tribune, January 13, 2014
Archdiocese to Judge: Block Top Officials from Testifying in St. Paul Park Case, By Emily Gurnon, Pioneer Press, January 26, 2014

Feb. 2014
Archdiocese Gets More Time to Name Accused Priests, By Mily Gurnon, Pioneer Press, February 2, 2014
Judge Orders Key Archdiocese Leaders to Face Deposition, By Aaron Ziemer, Bring Me The News, February 11, 2014
Judge Orders Archdiocese Leaders to Testify in Clergy Abuse Cases, By Blake McCoy, KARE 11, February 11, 2014
Archbishop Nienstedt to be Deposed Under Oath, By Madeleine Baran, Minnesota Public Radio, February 11, 2014
Judge Orders Twin Cities Archbishop to Be Deposed under Oath, By Cassie Hart, KSTP, February 11, 2014
Judge Allows Deposition of Twin Cities Archbishop in Sex Abuse Case, By Emily Gurnon, Pioneer Press, February 11, 2014
In a First, Judge Orders Archbishop to Testify about Clergy Sex Abuse, By Jean Hopfensperger, Star Tribune, February 11, 2014
Statement from the Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis, By Jim Accurso, Roman Catholic Archdiocese, February 11, 2014
Top Catholic Archdiocesan Officials Ordered to Testify, By Jay Olstad, KARE, February 12, 2014
Survivors Network of Abused Priests Releases Statement on Order, By Cassie Hart, KSTP, February 12, 2014
Statement Regarding Appeal to Minnesota Court of Appeals, By Jim Accurso, Roman Catholic Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis, February 14, 2014
Archdiocese Seeks to Block Nienstedt's Deposition, By Madeleine Baran St. Paul, Minnesota, Public Radio, February 14, 2014
Archdiocese Files to Prevent Archbishop Nienstedt's Deposition, By Emily Gurnon, Pioneer Press, February 14, 2014
Archbishop Reverses Himself & Tries Again to Block Disclosures, SNAP, February 14, 2014
Archdiocese Moves to Block Testimony in Clergy Abuse Cases, By Tony Kennedy, Star Tribune, February 14, 2014
Winona Diocese Required to Compile New List of Accused Priests, By Jerome Christenson, Winona Daily News, February 15, 2014
Number of Alleged Sex Abusers Greater than Church has Revealed, By Madeleine Baran, Minnesota Public Radio, February 19, 2014
Accused priests: Who They Are, Where They’ve Served, What’s Alleged, Minnesota Public Radio, February 20, 2014
Archdiocese Sends Court Sealed List of Priests Accused of Child Sexual Abuse since 2004, By Madeleine Baran, Minnesota Public Radio, February 27, 2014
St. Paul Archbishop Will Give Testimony Next Month, By Emily Gurnon, Pioneer Press, February 27, 2014
Archbishop's Deposition Set but SNAP Predicts It Won't Happen, SNAP, February 27, 2014

March 2014
Court of Appeals Issues Orders in Doe 1 Lawsuit, Jeff Anderson & Associates, March 5, 2014
Court Clears Way for Deposition of Archbishop Nienstedt, By Madeleine Baran, Minnesota Public, Radio, March 5, 2014
MN- Court Says Church Depositions Must Happen, Victims Respond, By Frank Meuers, Survivors Network of Those Abused by Priests, March 5, 2014
Appeals Court Rejects Archdiocese Bid to Stop Nienstedt Deposition, By Emily Gurnon, Pioneer Press, March 5, 2014
Appeals Court: Archbishop Must Testify in Clergy Abuse Lawsuit, By Jean Hopfensperger, Star, Tribune, March 5, 2014
Archdiocese Must Yield Info on "Credibly Accused" Priests, By Emily Gurnon, Pioneer Press, March 18, 2014
Winona Diocese Ordered to Turn over Documents on Accused Priests, Winona Daily News, March 22, 2014
St. Paul Archdiocese Asks for More Time, more protection in priest files, By Jean Hopfensperger, Star Tribune, March 25, 2014
Retired Judge Will Be Special Master in Lawsuit Against Archdiocese, By Madeleine Baran, Minnesota Public Radio, March 25, 2014
St. Paul Archdiocese Seeks More Time Before Release of Documents, By Ben Grove, Bring Me News, March 26, 2014
St. Paul Archdiocese Gets More Time for Some Priest Filings, By Emily Gurnon, Pioneer Press, March 27, 2014
Court Won't Seal Deposition of St. Paul Archbishop in Priest Sex Abuse Case, St. Cloud Times, March 27, 2014
Twin Cities Archdiocese Will Begin Rolling out Files on Abusive Priests, By Jean Hopfensperger, Star Tribune, March 27, 2014

April 2014
Deposition of Archbishop Nienstedt, Roman Catholic Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis, April 2, 2014
Nienstedt Submits to Critical Questioning over Handling of Child Sex Abuse Allegations, By Sasha Aslanian St. Paul, Minnesota Public Radio, April 2, 2014
Archbishop's Deposition Ends "Heatedly" after 4 Hours, Lawyer Says; Archdiocese Says He Answered All Questions, By Richard Chin, Pioneer Press, April 2, 2014
Twin Cities Archbishop Gives Deposition, Dispute Arises, St. Cloud Times, April 3, 2014
2nd Top Official with Archdiocese to Give Court-Ordered Deposition, By Jennie Olson, KSTP, April 16, 2014
Former Archdiocese Deputy Answers Questions under Oath about Handling of Sex Abuse Cases, By Madeleine Baran St. Paul, Minnesota Public Radio, April 16, 2014
Former Vicar General Kevin McDonough Deposed in Clergy Sex Abuse, By Shelby Capacio, Fox 9, April 16, 2014
Former Twin Cities Vicar General Deposed in Priest Sex Abuse Cases, By Emily Gurnon, Pioneer Press, April 16, 2014
Statement: Deposition of Fr. Kevin McDonough, By Jim Accurso, Roman Catholic Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis, April 16, 2014
St. Paul Archbishop Said He Tried to Limit "Total Disclosure" of Suspected Abusive Priests, but Has Changed Approach, By Emily Gurnon, Pioneer Press, April 22, 2014
Depositions of Archbishop John Nienstedt and Father Kevin Mcdonough, Roman Catholic, Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis, April 24, 2014
He Said, He Said, By Grant Gallicho, dotCommonweal, April 25, 2014

May 2014
Archdiocese Drops Request to Speak to Mother of Man Who Says Priest Abused Him, Daily Reporter, May 8, 2014
Privacy Vs. Public Safety Argued in Clergy Abuse Case, By Jean Hopfensperger, Star Tribune, May 8, 2014
Deposition of Archbishop Flynn, May 14, 2014
Adamson Deposition, May 16, 2014
Deposition of Archbishop John Nienstedt, Deposition Taken April 2, 2014, Released April 22, 2014 by Jeff Anderson & Associates
Deposition of, Father Kevin McDonough, Deposition Taken on April 16, 2014, Released on April 24, 2014 by Jeff Anderson & Associates
Chronology of Clergy Abuse, May 2013-Present, By Jean Hopfensperger, Star Tribune, May 25, 2014
Ex-archdiocesan Official Contradicts Nienstedt's Sworn Testimony Over Abuse Claim, By Madeleine Baran, Minnesota Public Radio, May 28, 2014
St. Paul Ex-Church Official Suggested Archbishop Resign, By Emily Gurnon, Pioneer Press, May 28, 2014
Archbishop Nienstedt Should Consider Resigning, Former Vicar General Suggested., By Jean Hopfensperger, Star Tribune, May 28, 2014

June 2014
Deposition of Archbishop Harry Flynn, Jeff Anderson and Associates, June 4, 2014
Retired Archbishop Flynn Doesn't Recall Details from his Handling of Clergy Abuse, By Madeleine Baran, Minnesota Public Radio, June 4, 2014
MN- Victims Blast Archbishop Over New Deposition, By Barbara Dorris, Survivors Network of Those Abused by Priests, June 4, 2014
No Child Sex Abuse 'Crisis' in Twin Cities Archdiocese, Ex-Archbishop Says, By Emily Gurnon, Pioneer Press, June 4, 2014
Former Twin Cities Archbishop Flynn Does Not Recall Clergy Abuse Details, By Jean Hopfensperger, Star Tribune, June 4, 2014
Archbishop Carlson Deposition Release, Jeff Anderson & Associates, June 9, 2014
From Former Twin Cities Bishop: 193 "Don't Recalls", By Emily Gurnon, Pioneer Press, June 9, 2014
St. Louis Archbishop Carlson Claims to Be Uncertain If He Knew Sexual Abuse Was a Crime, By Lilly Fowler, St. Louis Post-Dispatch, June 9, 2014
Ex-twin Cities Bishop Carlson: No Recall of Sex Abuse Cases, By Jean Hopfensperger, Star Tribune, June 9, 2014
Recent Depositions, Roman Catholic Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis, June 9, 2014
Archbishop Robert J. Carlson Can't Remember If He Knew Raping Kids Is a Crime, By Ray Downs, Riverfront Times, June 10, 2014
Archbishop Carlson Has Some Troubling Memory Lapses, St. Louis Post-Dispatch, June 10, 2014
Bishop ‘Not Sure’ Child Molestation a Crime, By Rod Dreher, American Conservative, June 10, 2014
Archbishop Carlson, don’t insult our intelligence! [Updated], By Phil Lawler, Catholic Culture, June 10, 2014
Archdiocese of St. Louis Addresses Archbishop Carlson Deposition Controversy, By Gabe Jones, Roman Catholic Archdiocese of St. Louis, June 11, 2014
Archbishop Carlson, don’t insult our intelligence! [Updated], By Phil Lawler, Catholic Culture, June 10, 2014
Unhappy with Your Press? Give the "out of Context" Talisman a Try., By Grant Gallicho, dotCommonweal, June 11, 2014
Two Organizations Plan to Protest After Archbishop Comments, By Anthony Kiekow, Fox 2, June 11, 2014
Ex-Priest at Center of Minn. Lawsuit Admits to Abusing 12 Teens Decades Ago, By Brandi Powell, KAAL, June 11, 2014
St. Louis archdiocese critical of reports on Carlson deposition, KMOV, June 11, 2014
New Documents Released in Sex Abuse Case, By Stephanie Diffin, KSDK, June 11, 2014
Abusive priest: Church Officials Never Asked for List of Victims, By Jon Collins, Minnesota Public Radio, June 11, 2014
St. Louis archbishop Claims Statement on Sex Abuse Taken Out of Context, By Dennis Coday, National Catholic Reporter, June 11, 2014
Accused Minnesota Priest Never Confronted by Officials, he says, By Emily Gurnon, Pioneer Press, June 11, 2014
Former Rochester Priest Admits to Abusing Multiple Children Over 20 Years, By Kay Fate, Post-Bulletin, June 11, 2014
MO- Victims Challenge Carlson to Debate, By Barbara Dorris, Survivors Network of Those Abused by Priests, June 11, 2014
MN- No Twin Cities Church Official Asked About Kids, By Barbara Dorris, Survivors Network of Those Abused by Priests, June 11, 2014
Catholics, Sex Abuse Victims Plan Protest Today Over Carlson's Deposition, St. Louis Post-Dispatch, June 11, 2014
St. Louis Catholic Church Defends Archbishop Carlson, By Shula Neuman, St. Louis Public Radio, June 11, 2014
Controversy Explained: Shedding Light on Deposition Cofusion, By Joseph Kenny, St. Louis Review, June 11, 2014
Ex-priest from St. Paul-Minneapolis Archdiocese Admits to Abusing 10 Boys, By Jean Hopfensperger, Star Tribune, June 11, 2014
Commonweal Indicts Archbishop Carlson, Catholic League, June 12, 2014
Former Rochester Priest Admits to Abuse in Deposition, By Rachel Zoll, Huffington Post, June 12, 2014
Former Priest Admits to Sexually Abusing 12 Teens, Lawyers Say There's More, By Jenna Lohse, KAAL, June 12, 2014
New Stl Ties in Priest Sex Abuse Case, By Stephanie Diffin, KSDK, June 12, 2014
Archbishop Carlson: My "I Can't Remember" Comments Were Just Taken out of Context, By Ray Downs, Riverfront Times, June 12, 2014
Archdiocese Says Carlson's Statements about Abuse Were Reported out of Context, By Lilly Fowle, St. Louis Post-Dispatch, June 12, 2014
Archbishop Carlson Releases Statement about Recent Deposition Controversy, Fox 2, June 13, 2014
Archbishop Carlson Responds to Controversy over Deposition Statements, KMOV, June 13, 2014
Adamson: "I Looked at It More As a Sin Than a Crime", By Jerome Christenson, LaCrosse Tribune, June 12, 2014
Controversy Explained: Shedding Light on Deposition Confusion, By Joseph Kenny, St. Louis Review, June 13, 2014
Statement from Archbishop Carlson on Recent Deposition Controversy, Roman Catholic Archdiocese of St. Louis, June 13, 2014
Winona Diocese Still Paying Priest Who Admitted to Abusing Boys, By Jerome Christenson, Winona Daily News, June 13, 2014
St. Louis Archbishop Releases Video Statement Regarding Sex Abuse Deposition Controversy (videos), By Mike Lear, The Missourinet, June 14, 2014
Leslie Hittner: Little Boys Heal, By Leslie Hittner, Winona Daily News, June 15, 2014
Winona Diocese: We're Obligated to Pay Pedophile Priest, St. Cloud Times, June 21, 2014
Diocese of Winona Updated List & Media Statement, June 23, 2014
Diocese of Winona Releases New Info on Abusive Priests, Winona Daily News, June 23, 2014
Winona Diocese Releases More Details about Priest Abuse, WXOW, June 23, 2014
News Release, Jeff Anderson & Associates, June 24, 2014
Ex-Austin Priest Admitted to Abuse, By Trey Mewes, Austin Daily Herald, June 24, 2014
Recent Depositions, Roman Catholic Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis, June 24, 2014
'Still a lot we have to do': Winona Diocese Releases New Info on Abusive Priests, By Jerome Christenson, Winona Daily News, June 24, 2014
Judge to Rule Later on Whether Archdiocese Must Turn Over Electronic Data on Abuse Allegations, By Amy Forliti, Daily Reporter, June 25, 2014
St. Paul Archdiocese Vicar Ordered to Answer More Questions, By Richard Chin, Pioneer Press, June 25, 2014
Attorneys Ask Judge to Order Archdiocese to Turn Over Electronic Data on Abuse Allegations, Star Tribune, June 25, 2014
Judge Orders Ex-Vicar General to Answer More Questions, By Jean Hopfensperger, Star Tribune, June 25, 2014
Attorneys Argue Over Access to Church Leaders,Clergy Abuse Documents, By Jean Hopfensperger, Star Tribune, June 25, 2014
Minnesota Case Could Help Shape Carlson's Legacy, By Lilly Fowler, St. Louis Post-Dispatch, June 28, 2014

July 2014
Diocese of Winona Wants Venue Change, By Chao Xiong, Star Tribune, July 07, 2014
Affidavit of Jennifer Haselberger, Jeff Anderson and Associates, July 15, 2014
Twin Cities Archdiocese "Far, Far from Best Practice" on Abuse, By Brian Roewe, National Catholic Reporter, July 15, 2014
Archdiocese Had ‘Cavalier Attitude’ About Clergy Abuse Cases, By Jean Hopfensperger, Star Tribune, July 15, 2014
Statement Regarding Affidavit in John Doe 1 Lawsuit, By Jim Accurso, Roman Catholic Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis, July 15, 2014
Archdiocese Lawyer Spills Cover-Up Claims in 107-page Affidavit, Fox 9, July 16, 2014
Deposition of Andrew Eisenzimmer, May 6, 2014, Jeff Anderson & Associates, July 15, 2014
Archdiocese, Diocese of Winona Seek to Throw Doe 1 Lawsuit out of Court, Jeff Anderson & Associates, July 18, 2014
Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis to Seek Dismissal of Abuse Lawsuit, St. Cloud Times, July 20, 2014
The Church Protects its Own, By Madeleine Baran, Minnesota Public Radio, July 21, 2014
Ramsey County Judge Advances Part of Priest Abuse Lawsuit, Studies Other Issue, By Emily Gurnon, Pioneer Press, July 21, 2014
Can Archdiocese be Considered 'Public Nuisance'?, By Tom Lyden, Fox 9, July 22, 2014
Ramsey County Judge Rules Clergy Sex Abuse Case May Go to Trial, By Madeleine Baran, Minnesota Public Radio, July 22, 2014
Judge: Jury Should Decide Priest Abuse Lawsuit, southernminn.com, July 22, 2014

Aug. 2014
Number of Priests Accused Child Sexual Abuse Triples, By Madeleine Baran, Minnesota Public Radio, August 4, 2014
In Twin Cities Archdiocese, 103 Priests Accused of Sex Misconduct, By Emily Gurnon, Pioneer Press, August 04, 2014
Ramsey County Priest Abuse Trial Put Off; Winona Diocese Wants It Moved, By Emily Gurnon, Pioneer Press, August 26, 2014
Winona Diocese Appeals to Move Clergy Abuse Trial from Ramsey County, By Jean Hopfensperger, Star Tribune, August 26, 2014

Sept. 2014
Judge Rules ..., Jeff Anderson & Associates, September 3, 2014
Judge Won't Dismiss Clergy Sex Abuse Suit; Nov. 3 Trial Set, By Madeleine Baran, Minnesota Public Radio, September 3, 2014
St. Paul Archdiocese Pedophile Priest Lawsuit May Proceed, By Emily Gurnon, Pioneer Press, September 3, 2014
Judge Allows 'Public Nuisance' Claim Against Archdiocese, By Jean Hopfensperger, Star Tribune, September 3, 2014
Judge: Diocese of Winona Case is Headed to Court, Winona Daily News, September 3, 2014
Judge Won't Dismiss Public Nuisance Claim Against Archdiocese, By Jenna Lohse, KAAL, September 4, 2014
Abuse Case against Diocese of Winona Headed for Trial, By Jerome Christenson, Winona Daily News, September 4, 2014
Archdiocese Trial Will Stay in Ramsey County, By Chao Xiong, Star Tribune, September 10, 2014
Diocese of Winona's Request to Move Trial Denied, Winona Daily News, September 10, 2014
Supplemental Pretrial Order, Sept. 15, 2014
Judge Splits Clergy Sex Abuse Trial into 2 Phases, WQOW, September 15, 2014
News Release, Jeff Anderson & Associates, September 15, 2014


Priests in a Parish: We use the following convention to show a priest's place among the clergy of a parish: 1/2 means that he is the first priest listed in the Official Catholic Directory (usually the pastor) and that there is a total of two priests at the parish. The shorthand 3/4 means that the priest is listed third on a four-priest roster. See our sample page from the Directory.

Note: The Official Catholic Directory aims to report the whereabouts of Catholic priests in the United States on January 1 of the Directory's publication year. Our working assumption is that a priest listed in the Directory for a given year was at the same assignment for part of the previous year as well. However, Kenedy and Sons will sometimes accept updates well into the year of publication. Diocesan clergy records are rarely available to correct this information. The Directory is also sometimes misleading or wrong. We have tried to create an accurate assignment record, given the source materials and their limitations. Assignment records are a work in progress and we are always improving the records that we post. Please email us with new information and corrections.

This assignment record collates Adamson's career history as it is represented in the Official Catholic Directory with allegations as reported in the media. We make no representation regarding the truth of the allegation we report, and we remind our readers that the U.S. legal system presumes that a person accused of or charged with a crime is innocent until proven guilty. Similarly, individuals who may be defendants in civil actions are presumed not to be liable for such claims unless a plaintiff proves otherwise. Admissions of guilt or liability are not typically a part of civil or private settlements. For more information, see our posting policy.

This assignment record was last updated on Sept. 30, 2014


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