Author Archives: admin

Orders have let abusers remain

Abbot John Klassen has been praised for disclosing some monks’ misdeeds and criticized for allowing some to travel.

Criminal prosecution of priests considered

The Stearns County Sheriff’s Office is investigating three cases of alleged sex abuse by priests for possible criminal prosecution, said Sheriff Jim Kostreba. He declined to provide details about the cases but said recently that the investigations began several weeks … Continue reading

As priest abusers become public, a parish looks at its past

Catholics around the country learned new things about their communities when clergy sex abuse cases received fresh attention this spring. One small parish in central Minnesota discovered that in one 30-year span, three of its clergy turned out to have … Continue reading

St. John’s removes 2 monks from posts

Abbot John Klassen has removed the Rev. Fran Hoefgen as guest master of the St. John’s Abbey guest house and the Rev. Allen Tarlton as director of its Oblate program before a threatened protest this weekend by victims of clergy … Continue reading

2 abbey priests leave jobs that involved the public

Two St. John’s Abbey priests on restriction for sexual misconduct have stepped down from abbey jobs in which they interacted with the public, an abbey official confirmed Tuesday.

Abbot removes two monks from positions at abbey

COLLEGEVILLE, Minn. – Two monks living under restrictions at St. John’s Abbey for alleged sexual misconduct have been relieved of their duties at the abbey by Abbot John Klassen.

Saint John’s Abbey Announces New Appointments

July 8, 2002 — Abbot John Klassen, OSB has appointed Landelin Robling, OSB to serve as Abbey Guestmaster, and Michael Kwatera, OSB to serve as Acting Director of Oblates. The monks who formerly served in those positions, Fran Hoefgen, OSB … Continue reading

Fr. Gordon Tavis Addresses Abuse Scandal; Misleads Community

Did we get hurt?  Absolutely Saint John’s Prep got hurt.  And it may take years to find out just how badly we were hurt.  As I say that, I’m not just talking about the institution.  Every Alum of all ages, … Continue reading

Letter to the editor: Still fond of the abbey

It is a sad realization for me to learn that 13 monks of St. John’s Abbey have been guilty of sexual abuse of one kind or another.

Sex abuse suit filed against St. John’s monks

Calling for an end to secrecy about sex abuse by monks at St. John’s Abbey in Collegeville, Minn., attorney Jeff Anderson filed a lawsuit on behalf of two men who allege that two monks at the abbey abused them when … Continue reading

Abbey to follow new policy

Though not required to do so, the more than 190 priests and brothers at St. John’s Abbey will abide by the sexual-abuse policy approved by American Catholic bishops last week in Dallas, Abbot John Klassen told the Benedictine monks Wednesday … Continue reading

Abuser monks out of the ministry, still in jobs

Minnesota’s Catholic bishops returned from Dallas with an explicit mandate to deal with sex abusers in the clergy. The “Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People” binds bishops around the country to the same “one-strike” policy.

Statement from Saint John’s Abbey on Compliance with the U.S. Bishops

Monks “on restriction” have no pastoral or teaching responsibilities, nor do they have unsupervised social contact with students or other young persons. They are not allowed to work in the Preparatory School or University, to use most campus academic, athletic … Continue reading

For 3 Who Warned Church, Fears Borne Out

In an auditorium in the Minnesota countryside one June day, the bishops of the American Roman Catholic Church were gathered in closed conclave. It was a heady time. They had used their moral standing to plunge into the nation’s political … Continue reading

Criminal prosecution of priests considered

The Stearns County Sheriff’s Office is investigating three cases of alleged sex abuse by priests for possible criminal prosecution, said Sheriff Jim Kostreba.

Letter to the editor: Monks are reasons St. John’s will endure

On a sunny September day in 1988, my arms filled with a microwave and other worldly possessions, I trudged to the top floor of a St. John’s University dormitory to officially begin my freshman year. As I struggled to stay … Continue reading

Sex abuse victim dedicates Web site to others stories

Pat Marker was one of the first victims to make public his story of sexual abuse at the hands of a St. John’s Abbey priest. Marker’s allegations against the Rev. Dunstan Moorse led to a lawsuit and a settlement, but … Continue reading

Lawsuit Widens Claims of Abuse

Declaring themselves victims of sexual abuse and claiming that St. John’s Abbey has covered up such abuse for decades, two former prep school students on Thursday sued the abbey and two priests already living under restrictions because of sexual misconduct.

St. John’s Abbey Restricts 14th Monk

St. John’s Abbey officials have confirmed that a 14th member has been put on restrictions after being accused of sexual misconduct.

Abbot John Klassen OSB: An Open Letter of Apology

The Rule of Saint Benedict teaches, “Receive everyone as Christ.” I am deeply sorry that some members of the Saint John’s monastic community have violated such a fundamental part of our commitment by engaging in abusive sexual behavior with people … Continue reading