The Edina home of a priest who serves a Catholic church in Fridley was searched this week by police investigating possible possession of child pornography.
The Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis informed members of the Church of St. William in Fridley Friday night, shortly after the Star Tribune contacted them about the investigation.
Because the priest has not been arrested or charged, the Star Tribune is not naming him.
Neighbors at his Edina apartment complex called police four times in the past few years about what they said were the sounds of a child crying and "in distress" coming from his apartment. The most recent report was on Feb. 8.
Police investigated each time, but did not find a child in the priest's apartment. But in an interview with Edina police this week, the priest admitted he had pornography on his computer, according to the search warrant request. The search sought evidence of possession or distribution of child pornography.
Friday evening, the archdiocese issued a news release saying the priest has taken a "voluntary leave of absence" pending the outcome of the case. While on leave, he is not permitted to exercise any priestly duties.
"The Archdiocesan Office of Ministerial Standards and Safe Environment has cooperated, and continues to cooperate, with the Edina Police Department," the archdiocese statement said. "Our understanding is that [the priest] has been cooperative as well."
As part of their investigation, Edina police met with archdiocese staff working on child safety issues on Feb. 6, the search warrant request said. At that time, police were shown the archdiocese's file on the priest, according to the search warrant request. There they learned about previous complaints about the priest's "concerning behaviors," which included giving bear hugs to grade-school age boys and encouraging older altar boys to step down so younger ones could serve.
