Category Archives: John Klassen

Movers & Shapers: Abbot John Klassen

Posted on April 9, 2003
Posted in Allen Tarlton, Columba Stewart, Fran Hoefgen, Jeff Anderson, John Eidenschink, John Klassen, Richard Eckroth

COLLEGEVILLE — He’s the man they call on to get the job done whether on the farm, with soon-to-be monks, in the chemistry department or now as head of the St. John’s monastery.

A Letter from Abbott John Klassen, O.S.B. ’67

Posted on April 1, 2003
Posted in BS, Gordon Tavis, Jeff Anderson, Jerome Thiesen, John Klassen, Letters to Community, Review Board, Timothy Kelly

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 →

The Financial Picture of Saint John’s Abbey

Posted on February 6, 2003
Posted in Abbey Statistics, Benedict Leuthner, John Klassen, Settlement Information

“Abbot John Klassen has given his assurance that financial gifts from our benefactors and funds from the university, prep school and The Liturgical Press are not and will never be used in the payment of settlements in the sexual abuse … Continue reading →

Letters to the Editor: Therapy raised no doubts

Posted on January 17, 2003
Posted in John Klassen, Richard Eckroth

* The two articles that appeared in recent issues reporting on the response of St. John’s Abbey to allegations of sexual abuse were generally accurate and fair (NCR, Dec. 13 and 27). However, in an accompanying article headlined “Father is … Continue reading →

Letter to the Editor – Correction Notice

Posted on December 27, 2002
Posted in ISTI, John Klassen, Richard Sipe, Timothy Kelly

* There was a misstatement in the article on St. John’s in Collegeville, Minn. (NCR, Dec. 13). I served as the first chair of the board of St. John’s Interfaith Sexual Trauma Institute in 1994-96. I did feel that the … Continue reading →

Father is `lion at the gate’ pressing case against priest

Posted on December 27, 2002
Posted in Jeff Anderson, John Klassen, Richard Eckroth, The Liturgical Press, William Skudlarek

Ed Vessel said he was “disinvited” to the Oct. 1 news conference at which St. John’s Abbey and Jeffrey Anderson, attorney for victims of sexual abuse by abbey monks, jointly announced a broad financial settlement of claims against the abbey.

Monks suffer with abusers in the family

Posted on December 27, 2002
Posted in Columba Stewart, Finian McDonald, Fran Hoefgen, John Klassen, Paul-Vincent Niebauer, William Skudlarek

The shame, anger and soul-searching that have gripped much of the U.S. Catholic church in the wake of an avalanche of sex abuse scandals this year have been felt acutely by the band of Benedictines who comprise the monastic community … Continue reading →

Commentary… The St. John’s Solution: Shoulder Blame

Posted on December 22, 2002
Posted in Jeff Anderson, John Klassen, Opinion

In an effort to exorcise its own demons, an abbey in Minnesota may be setting a commendable example for the rest of the Roman Catholic Church.

Greetings in this Christmas Season and in the New Year!

Posted on December 21, 2002
Posted in BS, John Klassen

In this season of hope, we once again prepare ourselves to show hospitality to Jesus, who is born into our world as the Christ and the Prince of Peace. “Glory to God in the highest and peace to his people … Continue reading →

Scandal at the Abbey – Part 1

Posted on December 13, 2002
Posted in Allen Tarlton, Brennan Maiers, Cosmas Dahlheimer, Fran Hoefgen, ISTI, Jeff Anderson, John Eidenschink, John Klassen, LINKUP, Paul-Vincent Niebauer, Richard Eckroth, Richard Sipe, St. John's History, Timothy Kelly

Its reputation for learning and liturgy, publishing and holiness, ecumenism and even bread-making are legendary and have grown over its 146-year existence, making St. John’s Abbey here — with its impressive abbey church and signature bell tower — a jewel … Continue reading →

Abbey has turned corner in abuse scandal, victims’ attorney says

Posted on December 13, 2002
Posted in Jeff Anderson, John Klassen, SNAP

Only five months ago, attorney Jeffrey Anderson of St. Paul lambasted Benedictine monks at St. John’s Abbey in Collegeville, Minn., as “the worst among the orders — the darkest of the dark.”

Vatican’s Ruling May Affect Local Policies

Posted on October 19, 2002
Posted in John Kinney, John Klassen, Nancy Bauer, Review Board, St. Ben's, St. Benedict's

(SC Times) Vatican concerns about specific elements of the U.S. bishops’ sexual-abuse plan potentially could undo some of the recent actions St. Cloud Bishop John Kinney and St. John’s Abbot John Klassen have taken in recent weeks to address clergy … Continue reading →

StarTribune Opinion Page

Posted on October 7, 2002
Posted in Dolores Schuh, John Klassen, Opinion, Timothy Kelly

There was nothing new in your Sept. 29 story about St. John’s Abbey, “Behind the pine curtain.” We have read it all before in the Star Tribune and other Minnesota newspapers. I’m afraid the Star Tribune has succumbed to sensationalism … Continue reading →

St. John’s Monk Takes Leave after Conduct Concerns

Posted on October 5, 2002
Posted in BS, Dietrich Reinhart, Isaac Connolly, John Klassen, William Skudlarek

Brother Isaac Connolly, a former dean of students at St. John’s University, took a leave from the St. John’s Abbey after allegations of sexual misconduct surfaced this spring, the campus community learned Wednesday.

Abbey Seeks to Build on Foundation of Healing and Renewal

Posted on October 2, 2002
Posted in ISTI, Jerome Hanus, John Klassen, LINKUP, Timothy Kelly

Oct. 2, 2002 — It was distressing for me and for all friends of Saint John’s Abbey to read once again in the Minneapolis Star Tribune an account of the abusive, sinful acts of some members of the monastic community. … Continue reading →

St. John’s Abbey, abuse victims agree to settlement

Posted on October 2, 2002
Posted in David Clohessy, Jeff Anderson, John Klassen, SNAP

Collegeville — Gathered on the very grounds where monks of St. John’s Abbey sexually abused them, past victims Tuesday embraced reparations they hope will become a model for the Roman Catholic Church.

Abbey promises change

Posted on October 2, 2002
Posted in David Clohessy, Jeff Anderson, John Klassen, Review Board, SNAP

Collegeville – Expressing his sorrow to victims who had been sexually abused by St. John’s Abbey monks, Abbot John Klassen outlined Tuesday a far-reaching settlement that ensures that new abuse allegations against monks will be reported to an outside investigative … Continue reading →

To clergy victims, acknowledgment proves invaluable

Posted on October 2, 2002
Posted in Allen Tarlton, Andre Bennett, Brennan Maiers, Cosmas Dahlheimer, Craig Martin, David Clohessy, Dunstan Moorse, Finian McDonald, Fran Hoefgen, Francisco Schulte, Isaac Connolly, John Eidenschink, John Kelly, John Klassen, Review Board, Richard Eckroth, SNAP, Thomas Gillespie

Collegeville – An apology, validation and a promise to ensure sexual abuse won’t happen to another child or adult. These, for many survivors of clergy sexual abuse, are far more important than financial settlement.

Settlement creates nonclergy review board

Posted on October 2, 2002
Posted in Dunstan Moorse, Jeff Anderson, John Klassen, Review Board, Robert Stich

Collegeville – St. John’s Abbey will create an external review board and pay an undisclosed amount to about a dozen victims of clergy sex abuse as part of a settlement announced Tuesday. Victims, their attorney and abbey officials said the … Continue reading →

Statement by Abbot John Klassen, OSB

Posted on October 1, 2002
Posted in Jeff Anderson, John Klassen, Review Board, Settlement Information

Collegeville, Minn. — Today Saint John’s Abbey is announcing a settlement agreement that is the result of several months of intensive negotiation between Saint John’s Abbey and Jeffrey Anderson in his role as legal representative of victims of sexual abuse … Continue reading →