Pat Marker felt he was prevented from helping those who needed help the most. Marker resigned in protest Friday from an external review board formed as part of St. John’s Abbey’s response to a clergy sexual abuse scandal.
Last month, the abbey publicized allegations of sexual misconduct in the 1970s and 1980s that were made against three of its monks, one of whom has died. The accusations against the Revs. Michael Bik, Bruce Wollmering and Robert Blumeyer were made months to years before the abbey’s July 28 announcement.
“The delays in disclosure, and more so the delays in notifying potential victims where these men worked, was part of the reason why I felt I must resign,” Marker said.
The nine-member review board meets monthly and reports to the abbot on key issues ranging from assessment and supervision of offenders to assistance for victims.
northlandcatholic.blogspot.com
August 19, 2006
St. John’s sexual misconduct review board member resigns
