Convicted pedophile priest in Minnesota, Rev Gil Gustafson, collected salary, insurance and now is getting disability
Rev. Gil Gustafson was convicted of child sex abuse 30 years, but a new report confirms that church officials still continued paying him a salary and providing insurance.
Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis is under attack after a new report by the Star Tribune revealed Gustafson was “priestly salary and health insurance, covered his living expenses and psychological treatment and paid for his education and training, according to church records and a former archdiocese accountant.”
To make matters more shocking, the Tribune traced back documents to 2006 where Gustafson “was declared ‘disabled’ based on his pedophilia, the church said. This allowed him to collect disability checks on top of his earnings as a leadership consultant.”
Abusing children being associated with a “disability” and not a crime is a statement that will anger most of society.
“Since when is a crime a disability?” asked Jeff Herrity, the father of a boy whom Gustafson was convicted of abusing from 1977 through 1982, is quoting in the article as saying “If that’s the case, everyone in prison should be disabled.”
The archdiocese said it is required by church law and “Christian compassion” to care for priests removed from ministry.
“Gustafson is permanently and totally disabled and is therefore entitled to benefits through the Pension Plan for Priests,’’ said a statement to the Star Tribune.
It has been 30 years since Gustafson’s last known instance of child abuse, the archdiocese said, noting that some believe he deserves a second chance.