When news of the abuse scandal broke twenty years ago, Saint John’s Abbey in Collegeville, Minnesota chose Fr. Dan Ward as its public voice. [ View 1991 Coverage ]
Today, we know that Fr. Dan Ward has at least three alleged victims. Information provided by credible sources suggests that there may be many, many more.
Fr. Mel Taylor used his master key to enter my locked dorm room without my permission. Looking back, I am certain that Fr. Mel knew I was in the room and in my bed enjoying some “private time.” I believe this to be true because he unlocked my door, entered, locked the door and was sitting on my bed … before I was even able to fully pull up my underwear.
(Kansas City Star) A second lawsuit has been filed against a northwest Missouri abbey alleging cover-up of sexual abuse by a former monk who directed its boys’ choir in the 1980s.
There is considerable information on this web site regarding visiting monk Bede Parry and the coverup of his misconduct by both St. John’s Abbey personnel and Abbot Jerome Hanus of Conception Abbey.
All articles and posts regarding Bede Parry on this web site: View
St. John’s role in the coverup: View
Additional information regarding Bede Parry, Conception Abbey, Katharine Jefferts Schori and the Episcopal Church can be found at http://www.conceptionabbeyabuse.com
Brother Eric Pohlman, a 29-year-old junior monk at the abbey, first heard about St. John’s through seeing the abbey church in a book about architecture. A native of Delphos, Ohio, he felt called to Benedictine living and sought out St. John’s because it was a larger community with various employment opportunities, interesting architecture and a reputable history in liturgy renewal and ecumenical dialogue. He also feels good about the way St. John’s has addressed and handled sexual abuse allegations when they have been made against monks.
Another accusation, another cover-up, another betrayal, another lawsuit — as reported in the June 24 Times, “Former St. Cloud bishop accused of abuse cover-up.”
The news details the claimed lack of effective action demonstrated by religious hierarchy who were aware of monk Bede Parry’s inappropriate sexual behavior with several students about 30 years ago.
Many of the monks at St. John’s Abbey knew about Br. Parry’s misconduct. On one occasion, Fr. Bob Koopmann made a joke about “blowing a student” that was clearly directed at Br. Parry. – virtueonline.org
St. John’s Abbey spokesman, Brother Paul Richards, said abbey officials were just learning about the allegations.
He had no other comment.
And in 1981, the lawsuit says, Parry had sexual contact with a student at St. John’s in Minnesota. Parry admitted that misconduct to several people, including abbots at Conception and St. John’s, according to the lawsuit. Parry stayed at St. John’s until he graduated but was required to undergo psychological treatment, the lawsuit says.
It also alleges he admitted a relationship with a student in 1981 while he was at St. John’s. Parry admitted the sexual misconduct to Theisen and two other monks at St. John’s, the lawsuit claims. Parry was allowed to remain at St. John’s until he graduated in 1982, the lawsuit states, but as a condition he was required to receive psychological treatment.
Between 1973 and 1979, the lawsuit says, Parry told Hanus that he had been involved in three inappropriate sexual relationships. And in 1981, the lawsuit says, Parry had sexual contact with a student at St. John’s in Minnesota. Parry admitted that misconduct to several people, including the St. John’s abbot and Hanus, according to the lawsuit.
In addition, in 1981, while attending classes at St. John’s School of Theology in Collegeville, Minnesota he had an inappropriate sexual relationship with a student and admitted the sexual misconduct to St. John’s Abbot Jerome Theisen and two other monks at St. John’s, as well as Abbot Hanus at the Abbey. Yet, in total disregard for the safety of children, these officials turned a blind eye to Parry’s sexual misconduct.
Between 1979 and 1982, Parry studied at St. John’s University and lived among monks at the controversy-ridden St. John’s Abbey, another Benedictine facility, near St. Cloud Minnesota where at least 18 proven, admitted and credibly accused child molesting clerics lived and worked. (A number of them still live at the facility). He was ordained a Catholic priest in 1983 and joined the Episcopalian priesthood in 2004.
Abbot Timothy Kelly has been accused of engaging in sexual misconduct with an altar boy (and at least four others) at St. Anselm’s Parish in Bronx, New York in 1966 and 1967. Father Timothy Kelly later became Abbot of St. John’s Abbey and President of the American-Cassinese Congregation. Abbot Kelly’s background, the complaint and other links are available below.
(CNN) – As a young man studying for the priesthood, Patrick Wall imagined life as a professor and football coach at a Catholic university. It didn’t work out that way. Two decades later, Wall has not only left the Catholic Church, he has become one of its most tireless opponents.
Three photos of Sister Ann Marie Biermaier, O.S.B. from Saint Benedict’s Monastery in St. Joseph, Minnesota (USA).
(St. Joseph Newsleader) In a statement released on the St. John’s Abbey website last week, Abbot John Klassen said he and other members of the abbey were “shocked” to hear allegations that former Abbot Timothy Kelly, who died last fall, had possibly been a perpetrator of sexual abuse.
