Names of Monks Released in St John’s Abby Abuse Settlement (Update)

As part of a settlement between sexual abuse survivors and St. John’s Abbey and St. John’s Prep School there was the public release of the names of 17 monks who have had credible allegations of sexual misconduct brought against them. Those names are:

Brother Andre Bennett

Father Michael Bik

Brother Isaac Connolly

Father Cosmas Dahlheimer

Father Richard Eckroth

Abbot John Eidenschink

Father Thomas Gillespie

Father Fran Hoefgen

Brother John Kelly

Brother Steven Lilly

Father Brennan Maiers

Father Finian McDonald

Father Dunstan Moorse

Brother Jim Phillips

Father Francisco Schulte

Father Allen Tarlton

Father Bruce Wollmering

This is another step in the right direction in making sure that the truth is reveled. Thanks to the firm of Jeff Anderson and Associates for making sure that the information was reveled. But as was pointed out there is much more to be done:

"Until all the names of the all offenders become known and exposed … other survivors will suffer in secrecy and silence and shame until they know they’re not alone," Anderson said. "Kids remain at risk. Those offenders could be in schools, our neighborhoods; they could be in churches."

WCCO recently followed up on the list. The video is worth watching.

Four of the monks have died, 10 remain at the Abbey with restrictions imposed on their activities.

But three of the monks accused of sexually abusing children and young adults live here in the Twin Cities.

Abuse of children and the continued silence by the offenders needs to be prevented. If you suffered, saw, or suspected such events, it is important to know that there is help out there.