ST. PAUL — A judge has denied an attempt by lawyers for the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis to block a court order requiring the archbishop to testify about how the church handled clergy sexual abuse and release the names of all local priests accused of abusing children since 2004.

The archdiocese contended Ramsey County Judge John Van de North exceeded his authority in allowing attorneys for an alleged clergy abuse victim to depose Archbishop John Nienstedt and former Vicar General Kevin McDonough.

Van de North said in his ruling that there was “no persuasive legal or factual basis” for the motion. The archdiocese argued that church records and depositions were not relevant to the case brought by a man who said he was sexually abused by priest nearly 40 years ago.