In a 1998 memo regarding abuse by Michael Bik, Abbot Timothy Kelly made it clear that Saint John’s Abbey, not the individual monk, covers the cost of abuse (including counseling payments for victims). Abbot Timothy Kelly wrote:
“With his monastic vows, of course, Fr. Michael has no independent income and is unable to pay anything. This would leave it up to the abbey to cover costs…”
When Fr. Thomas Gillespie was yanked from the church on February 23, 1996, replacement priest Fr. Dan Ward and Abbot Timothy Kelly refused to provide an honest answer — the real reason — for Fr. Gillespie’s removal. According to the Abbey Banner, “Father Thomas Gillespie, is on sabbatical to take care of some health problems.” (Winter, 1996)
Later, Abbot John Klassen delayed the announcement of Fr. Tom Gillespie’s molestation of young boys for at least two reasons:
On September 7, 2006 The Record ran an article, “Abuse allegations shake St. John’s Abbey,” which quoted me as saying “extensive research shows more monks will be named and more victims will come forward.” In the same article, Abbot John Klassen responded to my claim by saying: “That is totally an unfounded, false statement. I mean false.”
Earlier this week, my prediction proved correct when 17 monks were named in a letter co-written by St. John’s Abbey as part of a recent settlement involving nine new victims.
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During the final seconds of his life Jorge Blanco’s past appears as a spiraled succession of images on a dynamic canvas. Deluded by the conviction of a religious vocation and motivated by the desire to escape his troubled home life, Jorge migrates from Puerto Rico to Minnesota, where he joins a Benedictine monastery. Jorge’s dismay at the reality of monastic hypocrisy, however, drives him to a cynical outrage, with fatal consequences.
(SC Times) St. John’s Abbey and survivors of sexual misconduct said to be perpetrated by current and former abbey members reached an agreement Friday about the distribution of a letter signed by two survivors and Abbot John Klassen.
Know that I believe what you are doing with Behind the Pine Curtain is both courageous and absolutely imperative to help victims of this form of insidious abuse to realize a semblance of justice. I’d like to say health, but that assumes health may be restored.
“I am compelled to thank you. For me to reach out like this and to act beyond fear is a testimony to the enormous healing I have recieved from your action, your website. Expressing my gratitude seems so small, so trite, in relation to what you have given but I thank you from the very depths of my being. You are so courageous and your courage gives so much strength. I am stronger because of you and hope that I too can reach out with courage to help alleviate the suffering of those, whom like me, were the victims of such terrible and horrific violence.”
If the Abbey wants to take credit for ISTI, then it needs to be open about what actually happened, which is that the effort simply dissolved once the actual issues began to be addressed. – Elisabeth Horst, former ISTI Advisory Member
Monday’s announcement came as little surprise to former St. John’s student Patrick Marker. Marker, who graduated from the school in 1983, reported alleged abuse at the hands of a monk in 1989 and was among the initial whistleblowers who pushed the school to admit to the abuses.
“Abbot Klassen told others that my claims that more victims would come forward and more monks would be named were false — absolutely false, he said,” Marker said. “Today proves that what I say isn’t false, and I’m not the liar and I’m not the one trying to deceive people as they would have others believe.” – Listen (.mp3)
(examiner.com) St. Paul attorney Jeff Anderson had a press conference on Monday, March 28th, in St. Paul to explain the clergy abuse settlement with St. John’s Abbey of Collegeville. Jeremy McCarthy, an abuse survivor, and the only survivor wishing to speak, stated during the press conference that his desire was that “the more people that come forward, the more light shown on the issue will stop the abuse.” As part of the settlement, the names of 17 monks were released—though none have yet been charged with any crimes.
(SC Times) ST. PAUL — A key provision of a deal to settle nine of the 12 pending lawsuits against St. John’s Abbey, St. John’s Prep School and 10 clergy members accused of sexual misconduct was in dispute late Monday.
In the settlement announced on Monday, victims who previously settled with St. John’s were released from the confidentiality clauses contained within those agreements.
If you were a victim of misconduct, we invite you to tell your story (while maintaining your anonymity) in an effort to inform the public and hold St. John’s accountable.
Per the settlement, the Order of Saint Benedict agrees to perform the following non-monetary actions:
MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO/AP) – Every alumnus of St. John’s University in Collegeville will soon be getting a letter from the school. The letter names 17 priests and monks who the Abbey has identified as having credible allegations of sexual abuse brought against them.
(MPR) St. Paul, Minn. — People who attended St. John’s Preparatory School in Collegeville may soon receive an unusual letter in the mail. According to a settlement announced Monday, St. John’s must send a letter to all alumni of its prep school that lists 17 monks and priests who are “credibly accused of abuse, exploitation or misconduct.”
(StarTribune.com) The identities of 17 monks who have faced “credible allegations of sexual abuse” or other misconduct were made public Monday, representing a break in the secrecy that has long surrounded most Minnesota clergy abuse cases.
The names were released by St. John’s Abbey of Collegeville as part of a settlement of clergy abuse lawsuits announced on Monday by St. Paul attorney Jeff Anderson. The clergy taught at St. John’s Preparatory School or were assigned to parishes in St. Cloud.
ST. PAUL (SC Times)— An agreement to settle nine lawsuits against St. John’s Abbey and St. John’s Prep School includes the release of a list of 17 monks who have had credible allegations of sexual misconduct brought against them.
(Fox 9) ST. PAUL, Minn. – A settlement has been reached with St. John’s Abbey in nine alleged sexual abuse cases involving 10 monks or priests at St. John’s Prep in Collegeville, Minn.
(StarTribune.com) The attorney for nine people who say they were abused by Roman Catholic clergy announced a settlement Monday of lawsuits against St. John’s Preparatory School of Collegeville, Minn.
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MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO/AP) – Every alumnus of St. John’s University in Collegeville will soon be getting a letter from the school. The letter names 17 priests and monks who the Abbey has identified as having credible allegations of sexual abuse brought against them.
