ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) — The Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis has agreed to publicly admit wrongdoing for the way it handled abuse allegations against a former priest.

And prosecutors say they'll drop six criminal child endangerment charges that alleged the archdiocese turned a blind eye to repeated misconduct by Curtis Wehmeyer, who was convicted of molesting two boys in Minnesota and one in Wisconsin.

The admission of wrongdoing is part of a beefed-up civil agreement announced in court Wednesday. Archbishop Bernard Hebda will also personally participate in restorative justice sessions — taking a more active role.

Ramsey County prosecutors filed civil and criminal charges against the archdiocese last year. The civil case was settled under a plan that allowed for more oversight of the church. Wednesday's hearing provided an update to that settlement.

 

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