Monthly Archives: April 2002

Clergy Sexual Abuse at Saint John’s Abbey and in the Catholic Church

Posted on April 26, 2002
Posted in BS, ISTI, Jerome Thiesen, John Klassen, LINKUP, Timothy Kelly

“Since his election as Abbot in 2000, Abbot John Klassen, OSB, has continued the Abbey’s commitment to openness and asserted his determination to assure that “no remnants of the veil of secrecy remain.” – [Webmaster’s Note: This is not true.]

Abuse in the Abbey Shocks Community

Posted on April 25, 2002
Posted in Allen Tarlton, Brennan Maiers, BS, Cosmas Dahlheimer, Dietrich Reinhart, Dunstan Moorse, Finian McDonald, Fran Hoefgen, John Eidenschink, John Kelly, John Klassen, Monk Travel, Restricted List, Richard Eckroth, SG, The Liturgical Press

The revelation that a former St. John’s abbot committed sexual abuse in the 1970s rocked the local community this week and left the monastery in a state of shock.

Two men share similar stories of abuse

Posted on April 22, 2002
Posted in John Eidenschink

Two men who wanted to be priests say their dreams were washed away by sexual predators who also wore collars. The men tell similar stories of how top church leaders sexually abused them under the guise of spiritual guidance at … Continue reading →

Sex Scandal Hits Home At St. John’s

Posted on April 22, 2002
Posted in John Eidenschink, John Klassen

As every U.S. Roman Catholic Cardinal except one in poor health is at the Vatican preparing to meet with the Pope about the spreading sexual abuse scandal, word from one Minnesota religious institution brought the scandal close to home.

A Homily by Fr. Dan Durken, OSB

Posted on April 21, 2002
Posted in Daniel Durken, ToDo

Editor’s Note: Recent public statements by Abbot John Klassen regarding sexual misconduct and allegations of sexual abuse by members of the monastic community have ended what he refers to as a culture of secrecy. In the spirit of openness, Fr. … Continue reading →

Former Abbot Abused 2 Monks

Posted on April 20, 2002
Posted in Abbey Apology, Abbot Apologies, Bahamas, Cosmas Dahlheimer, Jerome Thiesen, John Eidenschink, Richard Eckroth

The Rev. John Eidenschink, former St. John’s abbot, has admitted that he sexually abused two abbey monks, one before he was elected abbot in 1971 and another during his eight-year tenure, current Abbot John Klassen said Friday.

Abbot John Klassen – Letter to Friends and Constituents

Posted on April 19, 2002
Posted in Jerome Thiesen, John Eidenschink, John Klassen, Letters to Community

Dear Friends of Saint John’s, The last months have been filled with painful stories about sexual abuse committed by priests and religious. The fact that the stories are most often about events which occurred years, even decades ago, does not … Continue reading →

Fr. Dan Ward – Gethsemani Encounter II, April 2002

Posted on April 18, 2002
Posted in Dan Ward, William Skudlarek

William Skudlarek: I had a sense during our first session this morning that a change was beginning to happen among us. We weren’t so much teaching or preaching, but speaking to one another. And I think that that’s probably an … Continue reading →

Dialogue after Fr. Dan Ward’s Presentation

Posted on April 18, 2002
Posted in BS, Dan Ward, ISTI, William Skudlarek

James Wiseman: Dan, you rightly said that monasteries can be places of healing or hiding and are probably a little of both. I think that you could perhaps help us answer Chodron’s question from the first session this morning, in … Continue reading →

A Homily by Fr. Columba Stewart, OSB

Posted on April 7, 2002
Posted in Columba Stewart, ToDo

The church today is full of doubt and mistrust. We are rightly shocked and embarrassed that betrayal, and heinous abuse can come from those who minister in Christ’s name. For whatever reason, many here this morning have very good reasons … Continue reading →