Author Archives: admin

Background for Father Anthony Ruff, OSB

*** Simple Vows (Quarterly – July, 1989) Brother Anthony (William) Ruff was born in 1963, and was raised on his family’s farm near Franklin, Minnesota. At Franklin High School he was class president, Future Farmers of America president, a band … Continue reading

Abbey History Minimizes Abuse

In a new 4,200 word history on the Saint John’s Abbey web site [ View ] , a total of 40 words are spent on the sexual abuse scandal.

St. John’s student missing since Nov. 2002

COLLEGEVILLE, Minn. (KMSP) – Family and friends are still searching for Josh Guimond, the St. John’s University student who was reported missing Nov. 10, 2002.

Father Finian McDonald… At Least Nine Victims

At least six people, including at least a minor at the time, have alleged sexual misconduct by Father Finian McDonald, a monk at Saint John’s Abbey in Collegeville, Minnesota (USA). At least three other individuals have accused Father Finian McDonald of … Continue reading

Father David Ostrowski Background

Father David Ostrowski is a former monk at Saint John’s Abbey. Ostrowski was listed in the Abbey’s Ordo (a directory of monks) from 1986 until 2001. [ View ]

April, 2013 Letter to Abbot John Klassen (re Licari)

Fr. Licari’s dismissal from the board was due to an alleged incident of sexual misconduct. My recollection, from conversations with you and others, was that Fr. Licari was accused of making inappropriate contact with a minor while he served as … Continue reading

Feedback Regarding WR

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Licari, Ward linked to Twin Cities Church Scandal

Two monks from Saint John’s Abbey in Collegeville, Minnesota (USA), Father Jonathan Licari and Father Dan Ward, have been linked to the sexual abuse scandal at the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis.

Leave a porch light on for Jacob Wetterling

The Jacob Wetterling Resource Center is asking residents to leave a porch light on Tuesday in honor of Wetterling, who went missing 24 years ago.

Timothy Backous… Health Issues

According to the October 13, 2013 Immaculate Heart of Mary bulletin [ View ]:

Flynn, Abbey Silent on Bik’s Abuse for Eight Years

Archbishop Harry Flynn,  Abbot Timothy Kelly and Abbot John Klassen all knew of sexual abuse by Father Michael Bik long before the abuse was finally made public in 2006.

Protected: Father Licari Lied to Victim, Covered Up Abuse

There is no excerpt because this is a protected post.

Multiple, Credible Allegations against Abbey Monk

In a June of 2011, Father Jonathan Licari wrote to a victim of sexual abuse: “There have been other credible allegations against Fr. Dominic and his name will be added to the list of other monks with credible allegations against … Continue reading

Meet Father Jonathan Licari, OSB

Father Jonathan Licari, OSB Timeline & Information

Recent Tips & The Real Trail

Web Site Visitors…. Thank you for the recent tips regarding Father Phil Harrer, Father Bruce Wollmering, Father Finian McDonald, Father Andre Bennett,  and Father Robert Blumeyer.

Administrative History – Saint John’s Prep

* Denotes Accused of Misconduct with a Minor

Demands grow to see secret list of Minnesota priests accused of abuse

(StarTribune.com)  Sometimes lists are posted online and then disappear. Such was the case with St. John’s Abbey in Collegeville. In the spring of 2011, the abbey became the first religious order in Minnesota to publicly release a list of monks who … Continue reading

The Silence

Since 2002 [Bishop Donald Kettler] has served as bishop under the Catholic Diocese of Fairbanks. As part of the diocese’s legal settlement with sexual abuse survivors, Kettler traveled to the villages of St. Michael and Stebbins in December 2010 to … Continue reading

Newly appointed St. Cloud bishop spent years in Alaska dealing with past clergy abuse

A bishop who has spent recent years in Alaska dealing with the repercussions of decades-old clergy sexual abuse has been appointed to lead the Diocese of St. Cloud.

New leader of St. Cloud diocese feels he’s coming home

Kettler occasionally visited St. John’s seminary, where he met Abbot John Klassen of St. John’s Abbey “on a number of occasions.” Klassen finds Kettler “open, flexible, pastoral.” They’d talk about faith, but also about the “very down-to-earth, practical realities” of … Continue reading