Minnesota abbey settles claims
COLLEGEVILLE, Minn. (AP) – St. John’s Abbey pledged to seek out and offer help to any future victims of sexual abuse by its priests and monks under a settlement that resolves about a dozen claims. Abbott John Klassen and Jeffrey Anderson, the attorney for the claimants, wouldn’t disclose any payment of money in the settlement. Instead, they stressed the establishment of an independent board of lay people to consider future allegations.
“There will be an affirmative outreach,” Anderson said. “This is something that has never been done before.”
The settlement included an apology to each of Anderson’s clients either from Klassen or from the priest or monk accused of abusing them. The victims cannot sue the abbey, though in some cases they could pursue legal action against the abbey’s insurer.
During a news conference Tuesday, Klassen turned to about half a dozen people who had come forward with allegations of sexual abuse and apologized.
“What happened to you should not have happened. I cannot express in words my sorrow, my grief for that happening,” he said.
None of the victims replied, but several had tears in their eyes.
Klassen said the settlement means no more claims are pending against St. John’s.
David Clohessy, executive director of the national Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests, or SNAP, said the deal is a departure from how abuse cases were handled in the past. It requires the abbey to send a letter to students, alumni, staff members and others when it receives a substantiated abuse allegation with hopes of persuading other victims to come forward.
“They will be obligated to do what church leaders have consistently not done,” Clohessy said.
Mark Chopko, general counsel for the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, said other dioceses have oversight committees that include lay people. But he said it’s unusual that the St. John’s board would have no clergy member.
Klassen has said the alleged victims of abuse at the Abbey were mostly boys who were 12 to 17 years old. The abuse allegedly took place in the 1970s.
Meanwhile, a priest accused of molesting an altar boy in Wisconsin in 1978 was ordered held on $400,000 bail Tuesday.
Outagamie County court commissioner Brian Figy set an Oct. 8 court appearance for John Patrick Feeney, who was arrested Sept. 16 at his Los Angeles apartment and taken to Wisconsin on Tuesday.
Feeney faces three felony counts for allegedly assaulting a 12-year-old altar boy during a confession and trying to assault the boy and his 14-year-old brother during a visit to their home.
Feeney’s lawyers said they would argue later for a lower bail, but they first need time to find him a place to stay. They said Feeney has no relatives in Wisconsin.
Also Tuesday, the Archdiocese of Boston outlined steps it is taking to try to help victims of abuse.
Barbara Thorp, who heads the archdiocese’s Office for Healing and Assistance Ministry, said Cardinal Bernard F. Law is meeting privately with any victims who wish to speak with him.
She said the archdiocese also would pay for victims to receive therapy from the social worker, psychologist or psychiatrist of their choice.
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On the Net:
St. John’s Abbey: http://www.saintjohnsabbey.org/