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The Rev. Peter Laird resigned Thursday as vicar general and moderator of the curia for the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis.

His resignation came shortly after St. Paul attorney Jeff Anderson presented evidence in court that the archdiocese, including Laird, knew about a priest who was in possession of pornography. According to the police report filed in the incident, when the pornography was allegedly found on the computer used by a priest, the archdiocese took custody of the computer.

This incident comes just a week after an investigation by Minnesota Public Radio revealed that the archdiocese covered up reports of sexual abuse by a priest. According to the report, the archdiocese knew for more than a decade that the Rev. Curtis Wehmeyer was molesting boys.

Laird was appointed to the vicar general position, which serves as an assistant to Archbishop John Nienstedt in administration of the archdiocese, in 2009. His resignation takes place immediately.

The Rev. Charles Lachowitzer, who is serving as pastor of the Church of St. John Neumann in Eagan, was named to replace Laird, but he won’t assume the post until his current position is filled. In the meantime, the auxiliary bishop, the Rev. Lee Piche, who preceded Laird in the job, will oversee it.

Gil Dobie wrote:I wish the Catholic Church would cleanup it's act, but then what would D1B do if they did, follow football