CROOKSTON, Minn. (KFGO) – The former bishop of the Diocese of Crookston, Michael Hoeppner, will not return to perform any ministry in the Diocese according to current bishop Andrew Cozzens.
In a letter to the Diocese on Monday, Cozzens updated Hoeppner’s status and also revealed that Hoeppner’s retirement benefits will be reduced.
Last year, Hoeppner was asked by the Pope to resign, after a Vatican probe said he allegedly interfered with clergy abuse investigations.
According to Cozzens, when Hoppner left the diocese last year, he publicly said he hoped to return to the diocese at the invitation of the new bishop. Cozzens said he spoke to Hoeppner, who agreed not to return for any ministry.
Cozzens also said retired Monsignor Roger Grundhaus will not perform public ministry in the diocese for one year, followed by a review of the decision.
Grundhaus was accused in 2017 of abusing a minor in the 1970s. Hoeppner was accused of covering for Grundhaus.
Cozzens says a diocesan review board concluded that “Grundhaus engaged in inappropriate activity that showed poor judgment and some level of impropriety with a young man.”
