Attorneys for a man claiming he was sexually abused by clergy at St. John's in Collegeville have filed a lawsuit, alleging a massive cover-up that spans more than 25 years.
The Order of St. Benedict, St. John's Abbey, and St. John's Preparatory School are listed as defendants on the lawsuit filed in Stearns County Court on Tuesday. Plaintiff attorney Pat Noaker says the suit identifies 11 accused, abusive Benedictines who were continually allowed to work with children from the early 60s through the mid-eighties.
"This concealment was overt and intentional at St. John's, this was not accidental," Noaker said shortly after filing the lawsuit.
The plaintiff listed on court papers is Jerry McCarthy, who says he was sexually abused by a father at St. John's in 1971; when he was a high school sophomore at St. John's Prep.
McCarthy told reporters he noticed the father who abused him recently passed away, and that sort of spurred him on, to tell his story.
After contacting Noaker, he was surprised by what his lawyer found.
"I had heard some of the stories over the years, but I was surprised to hear about the depth of it," McCarthy said.
Brother Aaron Raverty, with St. John's Abbey, released a statement late Tuesday afternoon.
"Saint John's has learned of a possible lawsuit, which we plan to carefully review. St. John's takes the issue of sexual misconduct very seriously, and over many years, has worked to ensure that policies and procedures on human rights are followed and enforced. Saint John's policies are clear and longstanding: we do not tolerate sexual misconduct in any form."
And yet they don't abide by the rules of the Catholic Church regarding ordination of homosexuals or featuring Catholic speakers that depart from the truths of the Catholic Faith and the priciples of Ex Corde Ecclesiae.
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What could be better? The campus of St Johns surrounded by hardwoods dressed in autumnal red and gold and yellow. The Great Hall and the School of Theology: perhaps an encounter with a professor from my days here a decade and a half ago. A tour led by Northfield friend, Lutheran Pastor Keith Homstad, an oblate of this Benedictine Abbey. Capped off by an evening address by Sister Joan Chittister, entitled What in the Monastic endeavor touches the heart of the gospel?
Sister Joan is a leading Catholic feminist and voice for progressive Catholicism. Among other liberal causes, she is an outspoken advocate for the ordination of women to the priesthood. The press release notes just a tip of the iceberg for her accomplishments:
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