January 20, 2013
Church of St. Joseph
From the Pastor’s Desk
Dear Friends in Christ Jesus:
As I mentioned at last Sunday’s Masses, you deserve to hear the truth about the allegations raised in a letter many of you received from Mr. Patrick Marker. Pat Marker was abused by a member of my community while he was a student. The Abbey acknowledged the abuse inflicted by a member of the community, settled Mr. Marker’s claim and has tried to engage him in helping other victims. Mr. Marker has chosen a different path. He has dedicated himself to raising doubts and undermining the integrity of Abbey members, including those who are innocent of these horrendous actions.
Mr. Marker often uses innuendo and unsubstantiated claims in his attacks on innocent Abbey members, as he did in the letter he sent to parishioners. For example, he links my name with Jacob Wetterling and Josh Guimond. The facts are clear. I was in France at the time of the Jacob Wetterling kidnapping. While I was on campus when Josh Guimond disappeared, I did not personally know him. The families of these two victims have suffered enough without Mr. Marker recklessly raising issues that have no basis in fact. Mr. Marker’s letter does not deserve a point-by-point rebuttal. Suffice it to say that his allegations against me are an unwarranted and unjust attack on my reputation.
Saint John’s Abbey deeply regrets the pain and harm suffered by Mr. Marker and other victims of abuse. The Abbey has worked with victims who have come forward to help them in their healing. The policy of Saint John’s Abbey is to evaluate all credible claims about members of our community. We have enforced this policy consistently and rigorously. Our policy of evaluation and investigation has led us to painful truths about some members of our community. We have taken appropriate actions to sanction those who have abused and to assure that they will not be able to do so again.
I ask for your prayers and support as we go forward. Saint John’s Abbey and the Diocese of Saint Cloud have responded to the legitimate and authentic claims of sexual abuse and will continue to put the victims of abuse ahead of any other interest.
I wish you peace and blessings!
Fr. Jerome Tupa, OSB Pastor
Links:
January 7, 2013 “St. Joseph Letter”… Here
Video of Tupa’s Message to Parishioners on January 13, 2013… Here
View the entire January 20, 2013 bulletin… Here
Webmaster’s Response to Tupa’s Bulletin Message… Here
