WINONA, Minn. – Former Winona pastor Rick Iglesias had hoped that his discussion with a fellow minister regarding sex relations with a minor would be disallowed in the case against him, but the judge ruled no. Judge Mary Leahy acknowledged that Minnesota law protect priest-parishioner communication as confidential but only in spiritual counseling. Iglesias, she said, had gone to his boss and senior pastor to resign. The decision clears the prosecution to use the other pastor, Kurt Bjorklund, against Iglesias. Iglesias, 66, was charged in 2019 with sexually abuse if a minor when Iglesias was a pastor at Pleasant Valley Church.
Earlier: Ex-pastor posts bond on sex charges