Vatican Investigation Finds Archbishop Nienstedt Acted Imprudently, Committed No Crimes

Despite the findings, Pope Francis imposes restrictions on Nienstedt's ministry and residence.

The Vatican has concluded a lengthy investigation into misconduct allegations against Archbishop John Nienstedt, the former leader of the Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis, finding that he took 'imprudent' actions but did not violate church law.
Nienstedt, one of the first U.S. bishops known to have been forced from office for mishandling sex abuse investigations, remains barred from public ministry following the investigation.
The Vatican’s Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith, which is responsible for enforcing sexual morality, concluded that available evidence doesn’t support violations of church law, so any such allegations against Nienstedt were 'unfounded'.
Despite the findings, Pope Francis decided that three administrative actions against Nienstedt were justified: he can’t exercise any public ministry in the Province of Saint Paul and Minneapolis, he can’t live in the province, and he can’t exercise any ministry elsewhere without the approval of the local bishop — and only after the Vatican has been notified.
Nienstedt, who remains an archbishop, is believed to be living in Michigan and has kept a low public profile after coming under fire in 2016 when word got out that he was filling in at a Michigan parish.