Author Archives: admin

Statement of the Conference of Major Superiors of Men

Upon the Release of the John Jay Study and the National Review Board Study February 27, 2004 — At the national assembly of the leaders of religious institutes of men in August 2002, our members adopted a document that began, … Continue reading

Dahlheimer Obituary

Webmaster’s Note: No mention of abuse in this obituary. There was an interesting statistic however: Over 250 novices and 35% of the current membership of the abbey learned from his words and example.

Our Lady: Not Just for Catholics

Any church wanting to attract Latinos “that doesn’t take into account how deeply that message [of Our Lady of Guadalupe] is rooted in the Latino identity … is pretty well doomed,” said Father Francisco Schulte, a scholar at St. John’s … Continue reading

Keeping Hope Alive

Written by the Rev. Bob Pierson, OSB, Chaplain/Director of Campus Ministry, Saint John’s University from the St. Cloud Times, Sunday, Nov. 9

More Than 200 Leaders Explore Sexual Abuse Legal Issues

The Legal Resource Center for Religious held a one-day multidisplinary workshop entitled “Sexual Abuse: The Continuing Response.” Held immediately prior to the LCWR national assembly, the workshop drew more than 200 participants who explored the civil and canon law issues … Continue reading

Football Family Values (Gagliardi/ESPN.com)

“John [Gagliardi] is the glue that holds the St. John’s community together.”

Former ‘fixer’ now helps the abuse victims

He liked the job at first. His superiors liked him. He was 26, he was moving fast, and he was doing God’s work. But by the time he’d taken over his fourth parish in four years, he realized he wasn’t … Continue reading

Court to Consider Expelling Clergy

A Minneapolis man who accuses St. John’s Abbey of “harboring pedophiles” has filed a court action demanding the removal of 11 monks and priests from St. John’s property.

Abuse lawsuit involving St. John’s Abbey priest dismissed

ST. CLOUD, Minn. – A judge has dismissed a lawsuit filed by a former St. John’s Preparatory School student accusing a St. John’s Abbey priest of sexual abuse, saying it was filed too late.

Review boards work toward healing

In the wake of the sexual abuse scandal in the Catholic church, diocese across the country have set up policy review boards. Two boards in central Minnesota are beginning their work, one at St. John’s Abbey and the other at … Continue reading

Abbot John Klassen, OSB, Response to St. Cloud Times Editorial

June 26, 2003 — I commend the St. Cloud Times for its thoughtful editorial, “A year later, how is the Catholic church doing?” And I welcome the invitation the Times extended to me to provide an update on my work … Continue reading

Review board includes law enforcement, health officials

Collegeville – St. John’s Abbey named eight members of its nine-person External Review Board on Tuesday. The board’s responsibilities include advising the abbey regarding how to respond compassionately and effectively to survivors of sexual abuse and to minimize the possibility … Continue reading

Saint John’s Abbey Names External Review Board

June 17, 2003 — Abbot John Klassen, OSB, of Saint John’s Abbey today announced the membership and the mission of an External Review Board to review allegations of sexual misconduct against members of the abbey and to provide advice on … Continue reading

Honesty comes before healing

THE CHURCH in the United States is experiencing a crisis without precedent in our times,” say the U.S. bishops in the opening sentence of their 2002 Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People. In this unprecedented crisis, all … Continue reading

As Trident goes, TV crew comes to St. John’s

Although students were gone for the summer, St. John’s was a busy place last week as a Trident Foundation crew searched three campus lakes for clues to the disappearance of Joshua Guimond. And a TV crew from Los Angeles filmed … Continue reading

Joshua Guimond – SJU Web Page

After extensive physical searches the past seven months throughout all Saint John’s property, the Stearns County Sheriff’s Office has concluded the official physical search here for missing SJU student Josh Guimond. Josh was last seen leaving Metten Court on the … Continue reading

True Believer

Who will show up in the office today? Jeff Anderson, the wisecracking ambulance chaser with a reputation for hunting priests and an advanced degree in self-promotion, the guy more than a few Catholics have secretly prayed to have consigned eternally … Continue reading

Movers & Shapers: Abbot John Klassen

COLLEGEVILLE — He’s the man they call on to get the job done whether on the farm, with soon-to-be monks, in the chemistry department or now as head of the St. John’s monastery.

A Letter from Abbott John Klassen, O.S.B. ’67

Last June I pledged to you to do all in my power to lead Saint John’s monastic community through a period of healing and reconciliation, and all 183 of our confreres joined me in that pledge. Because you are an … Continue reading

The Financial Picture of Saint John’s Abbey

“Abbot John Klassen has given his assurance that financial gifts from our benefactors and funds from the university, prep school and The Liturgical Press are not and will never be used in the payment of settlements in the sexual abuse … Continue reading