Minnesota Priest Who Molested Boys Removed From Priesthood

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) — Pope Francis has removed from the priesthood a former St. Paul priest who pleaded guilty in Minnesota to molesting two boys.

Archbishop John Nienstedt of the St. Paul-Minneapolis Archdiocese announced the Vatican's action against Curtis Wehmeyer on Wednesday.

Nienstedt says Wehmeyer has been made aware of the pope's decision, and that all priests and parishes in the archdiocese have been notified.

Wehmeyer is serving a five-year prison term for sexually abusing the boys and possessing child pornography. He served as pastor at the Parish of the Blessed Sacrament on St. Paul's east side.

In November, the 50-year-old Wehmeyer was charged with having sexual contact with a teenager while the boy was unconscious in Chippewa County. No plea has been entered in that case yet, according to online court records.

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