Category Archives: Letters to Community

Letters and Statements to the Saint John’s Community

[Webmaster’s Note: For almost twenty years, the leadership at Saint John’s claims to have written articles and sent letters and emails regarding sexual misconduct to the members of its community. If you are a member of the Saint John’s community, … Continue reading

Abbot Klassen’s Letter to St. John’s Community

Dear Members of the Saint John’s Communities, Over the past years, I have been very aware of the fact that it is not only the monks who feel the impact of allegations of misconduct by members of our monastic community. … Continue reading

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

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

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

A Letter from the President of Saint John’s University

The occurrence of sexual abuse is devastating to the victims and a grievous wound to communities of faith. Recent media coverage in Minnesota of allegations against some members of the monastery prior to 1990 are deeply disturbing. We can lament … Continue reading

Statements by Abbot Timothy Kelly, OSB

Responding in a Time of Crisis [Date Unknown] Addresses and Statements by Abbot Timothy Kelly, OSB Saint John’s Abbot – 1990-2000 Various writings of Abbot Timothy Kelly, OSB, February 1993 to May 2000 from Abbot Timothy Kelly’s response to a … Continue reading

Abbot John Klassen – Letter to Friends and Constituents

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

Licari’s Letter to Community

Office of the Prior SAINT JOHN’S ABBEY COLLEGEVILLE, MINNESOTA 56321 U.S.A.