st. johns abbey

A former student has sued St. John's Abbey, alleging the religious order knew one of its members had been accused of sexual abuse as early as 1958, yet let him continue teaching.

The monks of St. John's Abbey celebrated on Sunday the 50th anniversary of the dedication of their famous Abbey and University Church in Collegeville.

Today (Tuesday) WJON news had a chance to talk with Abbot John Klassen about the move. He says the Board of Regents will be replaced with a Board of Trustees, which will be given a much stronger decision making authority.

The Board of Regents at St. John's University endorsed a plan today (Friday) that would separate them from St. John's Abbey. They plan to create a new civil corporation for the University, which will go into effect on July 1st.

St. John's Abbey has responded to more allegations of sexual abuse. The Abbey released a written statement today (Tuesday) saying "The Abbey is saddened and shocked to learn of allegations of sexual abuse in the mid-60s against one of it's deceased members, Abbot Timothy Kelly. In accordance with its Policy, St. John's Abbey has begun an investigation of the accusation."

St. John's Abbey and the survivors of sexual misconduct by current and former abbey members have reached an agreement about the distribution of a letter signed by two survivors and Abbot John Klassen. Writing the letter and distributing it to former students at St. John's Prep School in Collegeville was a key part of a settlement announced Monday that ended nine of 12 legal actions against the abbey.

The Archdiocese of St. Paul has a list of 33 priests accused of sexually abusing minors. But, unlike a similar list of priests revealed this week by St. John's Abbey in Collegeville, the St. Paul priests will remain unnamed.