Category Archives: John Klassen

St. John’s monks vote to return $2M Petters gift, rename building

Another black mark on the Petters name, after Tom Petters was convicted of running a multi-billion dollar Ponzi scheme: The monks of St. John’s Abbey have voted to return a $2 million gift from the Thomas J. Petters Family Foundation … Continue reading

Another child sexual abuse lawsuit targets St. John’s

A second civil lawsuit has been filed in Stearns County Court against the Benedictine Order at St. John’s Abbey in St. Cloud. It accuses members of the order of covering up the alleged sexual abuse of a teenage boy in … Continue reading

Lawsuit filed against St. John’s abbey

The second lawsuit in two weeks was filed Wednesday against St. John’s Abbey.

2nd lawsuit filed against St. John’s Abbey

The second lawsuit in two weeks was filed Wednesday against St. John’s Abbey. The lawsuit accuses the abbey of fraud and contends that three monks either solicited or engaged in sexual misconduct with a former St. John’s University student.

Lawsuit targets St. John’s Prep School, abbey

A former St. John’s Prep School student sued the school and St. John’s Abbey on Tuesday, alleging fraud for allowing a monk to continue interacting with students after they received an allegation of sexual misconduct against the monk.

Former student files fraud suit against St. John’s Prep and Abbey

A former St. John’s Prep School student sued the school and St. John’s Abbey on Tuesday, alleging fraud for allowing a monk to continue interacting with students after they received an allegation of sexual misconduct against the monk.

Message from Abbot John to SJU & OSB Employees

Saint John’s learned earlier today of a possible lawsuit, which we plan to carefully review. We anticipate there may be news coverage of this tonight and tomorrow. The individual named in the lawsuit was the subject of a press release … Continue reading

Seven Years… Time To Start Asking Questions

Today (November 10, 2009) marks the seven year anniversary of Joshua Guimond’s disappearance from the St. John’s University campus in Collegeville, Minnesota.

Caught in a Coverup

On October 2, 2002 the St. Cloud Times reported that a settlement agreement between St. John’s and several victims had been reached. Three days later, and one month before Joshua Guimond disappeared, another article appeared in the St. Cloud Times.

St. John’s launches ad campaign to counter image woes

After a season of bad news about sexual abuse by some monks at St. John’s Abbey in Collegeville, Minn., the monastery’s university has launched a series of ads intended to offer a positive view of the school.

President Appoints Hispanic Catholic Theologian Miguel Diaz as Ambassador to the Vatican

COLLEGEVILLE, Minnesota (Catholic Online) – After weeks of speculation which generated scores of opinion pieces, President Barack Obama has surprised many observers by choosing Miguel Diaz, PhD, as the United States Ambassador to the Holy See. Professor Diaz is on … Continue reading

Abbot Relaxes Stand… Four Restricted Monks Featured

Four restricted monks were featured (with photos) in the Winter 2008 issue of the Abbey Banner. View Banner Home Their inclusion, especially in a feature story, contradicts Abbot Klassen’s previous statements regarding restricted monks and victim sensitivity. Link Soon.

Abbot John Klassen Relaxes Travel Restrictions

*** May 12, 2002: “Klassen said the Rev. Finian McDonald will not be allowed to travel this year to the Bahamas, where he has regularly spent several months each year at the abbey’s mission. McDonald ‘probably won’t’ go there ever … Continue reading

Rev. Jonathan Licari now in Albany, MN

Rev. Jonathan Licari is now the pastor at Church of the Seven Dolors in Albany MN. Licari is listed as the pastor for Holy Family School as well.

Father Bruce Wollmering Dies, Room Searched

Wollmering’s room searched by County officials. Wollmering’s Victim Count Now 6 Father Wollmering’s obituary references his “retirement” from his position as teacher and counselor at St. John’s University.

Obituary – Father Bruce Wollmering OSB, 1940-2009

Saint John’s Abbey Father Bruce Wollmering OSB 1940-2009

Subject: Death of Father Bruce Wollmering

From: Epsky, Patti On Behalf Of Office of the President (SJU) Sent: Thursday, February 05, 2009 8:23 AM Subject: Death of Father Bruce Wollmering

Love Letters from Father Tom Andert

In 1994, Father Tom Andert sent a series of letters to a high school student. During the time these letter were written, Andert was able to get the student out of class to go on walks. Andert also took the … Continue reading

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Abbot John Tells a Story

I have a story to tell. It has five chapters, but they are short.

Saint John’s Concludes Historic Capital Campaign

“Saint John’s is pleased to announce that the most ambitious capital campaign in its history, One Generation to the Next, has come to a successful close, bringing unprecedented support and new opportunities for current and future generations of students, faculty … Continue reading