I am requesting that you immediately notify all potential victims of Fr. Francisco Schulte in Puerto Rico, Minnesota, North Carolina, Rome, Mexico and the Bahamas.
Policy Not Followed
A Letter to Abbot John Klassen
From Patrick J Marker
Abbot John,
It appears that St. John’s has failed to follow its own “Policy on Sexual Abuse and Sexual Exploitation”. In particular, I believe that none of the three subsections to Paragraph IV of that Policy (shown below) have been followed, despite credible allegations having been made against Fr. Francisco Schulte on several occasions, the last occurring on May 18, 2010.
I am requesting that you immediately notify all potential victims of Fr. Francisco Schulte in Puerto Rico, Minnesota, North Carolina, Rome, Mexico and the Bahamas.
If you are not willing to do so, please explain why — or remove the deceptive Policy from your web site.
Policy on Sexual Abuse and Sexual Exploitation
http://www.saintjohnsabbey.org/abusepolicy.html
IV. Public Statement
A. In most cases it will be appropriate for the Abbot to write a statement and send it to various constituencies of Saint John’s.
B. If allegations against a monk who is or has served in a parish are found to be credible, a prepared statement will be read at all the Sunday masses if approved by the Diocese in which the parish is located.
C. If the allegation involves an incident that took place in a parish, a parish meeting for the parishioners will be held if approved by the Diocese in which the parish is located. The meeting should be limited to parishioners. Along with the pastor who chairs the meeting, the Abbot, a representative of the diocese, and the sexual abuse victim’s advocate should be present.
Patrick J Marker
September 30, 2010
