Archbishop John Nienstedt
Diocese of Santa Rosa
Ordained: 1974
Resigned: 2015
Assignment History:
- 1974-1976: Guardian Angels Parish (Clawson, MI)
- 1977-1979: St. John Provincial Seminary in (Plymouth, MI)
- 1979: St. Fabian's Parish (Farmington Hills, MI)
- 1979: Our Lady of Sorrows Parish (Farmington, MI)
- 1980-1983: Baby Jesus Hospital (Rome, Italy)
- 1981-84: Brothers of Holy Cross (Rome, Italy)
- 1986: St. Regis Church in (Birmingham, MI)
- 1987- Sacred Heart Seminary (Union Lake, MI)
- 2015-2017: The Napa Institute (Napa, CA)
Summary of Sexual Abuse Allegations Against Archbishop John Nienstedt:
Archbishop John Nienstedt was ordained a priest in 1974, who served in multiple dioceses including in the Diocese of Santa Rosa. According to media reports, in 2013, he was accused of touching a boy's buttocks after a Confirmation in 2009. The county attorney found "insufficient evidence" to the claim, and Nienstedt returned to the ministry as archbishop. In 2014, after an internal investigation of alleged misconduct with adults, it was found that Nienstedt reportedly made "sexual advances" toward two priests. Nienstedt resigned in June 2015, soon after the archdiocese was criminally charged for contributing to child sex abuse.
In 2016, documents were released that show allegation of Nienstedt's "promiscuous gay lifestyle" and the Vatican cover-up. Nienstedt began working at Napa Institute in CA. In 2018, media reports revealed that Nienstedt invited two minors to a hotel room to change out of wet clothes in 2005 at a Vatican youth rally in Germany.
Archbishop Nienstedt's current whereabouts are unknown.
Horowitz Law is a law firm representing victims and survivors of sexual abuse by Catholic priests and other clergy in the Diocese of Santa Rosa in California. If you need a lawyer because you were sexually abused by a priest in one of California's Catholic dioceses, contact our office today. Although many years have passed, those abused by Catholic clergy in the Diocese of Santa Rosa now have legal options due to a voluntary compensation fund created by the Diocese of Santa Rosa, but filing deadlines will apply so do not delay in reaching out to us. Our lawyers have decades of experience representing survivors of clergy sexual abuse in California and nationwide. We can help.
Contact us at 888-283-9922 or adam@adamhorowitzlaw.com to discuss your options today.