Author Archives: admin

Aloysius Michels Obituary

Posted on February 3, 2003
Posted in Aloysius Michels, Obituary, Raymond Pedrizetti

Aloysius Reinhart Michels, OSB 1913—2002 At the funeral of Father Aloysius, Prior Raymond Pedrizetti, OSB, reminded the community of the variety of the deceased’s assignments during his over sixty years as a priest.

Defending a monk – Letters – Letter to the Editor

Posted on January 24, 2003
Posted in Richard Eckroth, Vessels, Wetterling

This letter responds to your article “Scandal at the abbey” (NCR, Dec. 13). I am a brother to Benedictine Fr. Richard Eckroth, who received the most coverage of 11 monks accused of sexual abuse in your article. He is one … Continue reading →

From Monk to Sex Plaintiffs’ Advocate

Posted on January 19, 2003
Posted in Patrick Wall, Richard Sipe, William Skudlarek

As a Benedictine monk, Patrick Wall gained the reputation as a fix-it priest for the Catholic Church. His first four assignments wearing a Roman collar: straightening out parishes tainted by molestation and financial scandal.

Letters to the Editor: Therapy raised no doubts

Posted on January 17, 2003
Posted in John Klassen, Richard Eckroth

* The two articles that appeared in recent issues reporting on the response of St. John’s Abbey to allegations of sexual abuse were generally accurate and fair (NCR, Dec. 13 and 27). However, in an accompanying article headlined “Father is … Continue reading →

Abbot Timothy Kelly Elected, Blessed

Posted on January 1, 2003
Posted in Baldwin Dworschak, Jerome Hanus, Jonathan Licari, Melvin Valvano, Timothy Kelly

At the end of the mass Abbot Timothy noted that the shepherd’s staff he had received pointed to the teaching of Saint Benedict that the abbot is “believed to hold the place of Christ in the monastery.” He is taking … Continue reading →

Letter to the Editor – Correction Notice

Posted on December 27, 2002
Posted in ISTI, John Klassen, Richard Sipe, Timothy Kelly

* There was a misstatement in the article on St. John’s in Collegeville, Minn. (NCR, Dec. 13). I served as the first chair of the board of St. John’s Interfaith Sexual Trauma Institute in 1994-96. I did feel that the … Continue reading →

Father is `lion at the gate’ pressing case against priest

Posted on December 27, 2002
Posted in Jeff Anderson, John Klassen, Richard Eckroth, The Liturgical Press, William Skudlarek

Ed Vessel said he was “disinvited” to the Oct. 1 news conference at which St. John’s Abbey and Jeffrey Anderson, attorney for victims of sexual abuse by abbey monks, jointly announced a broad financial settlement of claims against the abbey.

Monks suffer with abusers in the family

Posted on December 27, 2002
Posted in Columba Stewart, Finian McDonald, Fran Hoefgen, John Klassen, Paul-Vincent Niebauer, William Skudlarek

The shame, anger and soul-searching that have gripped much of the U.S. Catholic church in the wake of an avalanche of sex abuse scandals this year have been felt acutely by the band of Benedictines who comprise the monastic community … Continue reading →

Commentary… The St. John’s Solution: Shoulder Blame

Posted on December 22, 2002
Posted in Jeff Anderson, John Klassen, Opinion

In an effort to exorcise its own demons, an abbey in Minnesota may be setting a commendable example for the rest of the Roman Catholic Church.

Greetings in this Christmas Season and in the New Year!

Posted on December 21, 2002
Posted in BS, John Klassen

In this season of hope, we once again prepare ourselves to show hospitality to Jesus, who is born into our world as the Christ and the Prince of Peace. “Glory to God in the highest and peace to his people … Continue reading →

Scandal at the Abbey – Part 1

Posted on December 13, 2002
Posted in Allen Tarlton, Brennan Maiers, Cosmas Dahlheimer, Fran Hoefgen, ISTI, Jeff Anderson, John Eidenschink, John Klassen, LINKUP, Paul-Vincent Niebauer, Richard Eckroth, Richard Sipe, St. John's History, Timothy Kelly

Its reputation for learning and liturgy, publishing and holiness, ecumenism and even bread-making are legendary and have grown over its 146-year existence, making St. John’s Abbey here — with its impressive abbey church and signature bell tower — a jewel … Continue reading →

Abbey has turned corner in abuse scandal, victims’ attorney says

Posted on December 13, 2002
Posted in Jeff Anderson, John Klassen, SNAP

Only five months ago, attorney Jeffrey Anderson of St. Paul lambasted Benedictine monks at St. John’s Abbey in Collegeville, Minn., as “the worst among the orders — the darkest of the dark.”

St. Cloud woman says diocese knew about sexual abuse allegations

Posted on December 11, 2002
Posted in Review Board, Susan Fuchs-Hoeschen

ST. CLOUD (AP) — A woman who said she was sexually abused by a priest says the St. Cloud Diocese knew about her allegations for almost a decade while the priest volunteered at St. Cloud Hospital.

Star Tribune Works Catholic Abuse Story

Posted on December 10, 2002
Posted in Editorial

For years, the Star Tribune, like other news organizations in Minnesota, had covered clergy abuse on a spot news basis, documenting each lawsuit and occasionally writing general stories about the church’s response. But last spring, when news broke that St. … Continue reading →

Four missing people — just a tragic coincidence?

Posted on November 20, 2002
Posted in Joshua Guimond

In the two weeks after Halloween, three college men disappeared from Minneapolis, Collegeville, and Eau Claire, Wisconsin. Around the same time, a 21-year-old woman in Brainerd failed to show up for work, and has not been seen since. Despite constant … Continue reading →

Young People Are Missing; Authorities Are Baffled

Posted on November 17, 2002
Posted in Joshua Guimond

ST. CLOUD, Minn., Nov. 16 ? Joshua Guimond, 20, an honor student at St. John’s University, stepped away from a card game in a campus apartment shortly after midnight last Saturday, walked down the hall, and vanished.

Troops widen search for St. John’s student

Posted on November 14, 2002
Posted in Joshua Guimond, Wetterling

Minnesota National Guard troops slogged into swampy, wooded terrain around Collegeville, Minn., on Wednesday, widening the search for missing St. John’s University student Josh Guimond.

Archbishop: Victims of sex abuse are top priority

Posted on October 26, 2002
Posted in Jerome Hanus

WATERLOO (AP) – The Archbishop of Dubuque told priests and Roman Catholic church leaders they must recommit to their vows of holiness and virtue while regaining the faith of parishioners.

Vatican’s Ruling May Affect Local Policies

Posted on October 19, 2002
Posted in John Kinney, John Klassen, Nancy Bauer, Review Board, St. Ben's, St. Benedict's

(SC Times) Vatican concerns about specific elements of the U.S. bishops’ sexual-abuse plan potentially could undo some of the recent actions St. Cloud Bishop John Kinney and St. John’s Abbot John Klassen have taken in recent weeks to address clergy … Continue reading →

(PBS) 2002 St. John’s Abbey Settlement

Posted on October 18, 2002
Posted in Jeff Anderson

(PBS) BOB ABERNETHY, anchor: One famous Catholic center that has tried to balance the rights of victims against the rights of accused priests is St. John’s Abbey in Collegeville, Minnesota. As members of the Benedictine order, those there are not … Continue reading →