When Flynn 's retirement was accepted on May 2 , 2008 , Nienstedt succeeded him as the eighth Archbishop of St. Paul and Minneapolis . He received the pallium , a vestment worn by metropolitan bishops , from Pope Benedict in St. Peter 's Basilica on June 29 , 2008 . Shortly after becoming archbishop , he discontinued the gay pride prayer service that was held at St. Joan of Arc Church in Minneapolis ; he had previously described homosexuality as a " result of psychological trauma " that " must be understood in the context of other human disorders : envy , malice , greed , etc. " He declined numerous invitations to attend the 2008 Republican National Convention , which was held in St. Paul . During the 2008 presidential election , Nienstedt criticized House Speaker Nancy Pelosi . He said she had a " misinterpretation on the question of when life begins " and that her " remarks underscore once again the need for Catholics , and especially Catholic politicians , to form their consciences according to the moral truths taught by the Catholic Church . " He also criticized the Freedom of Choice Act , saying , " It is hard to imagine a more radical piece of pro-abortion legislation . " In October 2010 , Nienstedt announced a strategic plan that called for 21 parishes to be merged into 14 neighboring parishes . An appeal process was put in place which included information about the right to appeal announced parish mergers to the Holy See . All appeals had run their course by early 2012 . Decisions regarding buildings and other property of the merged parishes were made by local leaders in consultation with the archbishop and a representative body of priests . These and two layer mergers reduced the number of parishes from 213 in October 2010 to 188 in July 2013 . The mergers involve parishes across the Archdiocese
2008 Republican National Convention
2008 Republican National Convention
John Clayton Nienstedt