Abbey Policy on Sexual Abuse
and Sexual Exploitation
The monks of Saint John's Abbey are vowed to a celibate way of life and mutual respect among persons. Saint John's Abbey views sexual abuse or sexual exploitation by its members to be morally reprehensible.
When considering sexual abuse or sexual exploitation by a monk, the abbey maintains a primary concern for the victim's safety and well-being. Recognizing that the sexual abuse or sexual exploitation has tragic consequences for the victim as well as for the abuser, Saint John's Abbey adopts the following policy:
I. An Allegation
- The Abbot investigates the allegation. If an allegation is made involving a minor, it is immediately reported to law enforcement officials. In all cases, reports to law enforcement or civil authorities will be made as required by Minnesota state law.
- The investigation normally will include:
- an interview with the person making the allegation
- an interview with the monk
- an interview with other knowledgeable persons
- The Abbot seeks appropriate advice.
- Based upon the investigation, the Abbot takes appropriate action that may include:
- a pastoral response to the victim
- an intervention with the monk
- distribution of a statement about the allegation.
II. Pastoral Response to the Complaint
- If persons have been sexually abused or exploited by a monk of Saint John's Abbey, they are encouraged to contact either the Abbot or those designated by Saint John's as victim advocates. (See "Victim Assistance Service at top right.")
- When the Abbot receives an allegation directly from a victim, the Abbot initiates an interview with the victim, not only to listen to the victim's story, but also to evaluate the needs of the victim. This may not be appropriate in some cases such as with children.
- When one of the Abbey's advocates receives an allegation from a victim, the advocate immediately communicates the information received to the Abbot.
- After appropriate consultation, the Abbot normally initiates one or more of the following steps:
- Recommends that the complainant contact an advocate for victims of sexual abuse and sexual exploitation to assist the victim in evaluating the situation and the necessary needs.
- Offers the victim financial assistance for counseling. Financial assistance normally is only offered if the complainant is personally interviewed. If financial assistance for counseling is accepted, the victim is asked to sign a statement that states that the financial assistance is not an admission of legal wrongdoing that can be used in subsequent legal action. The Abbot will periodically review with the victim the continuation of financial assistance for counseling.
- In the case of a legal settlement, the victim is asked to sign a statement that keeps the amount of the settlement secret. A victim is not asked to sign an agreement requiring silence about the fact or nature of the abuse or exploitation that they may have suffered.
- If the Abbot receives a complaint or accusation against a monk from an attorney representing an alleged victim after financial assistance has been extended, the assistance will be continued unless prohibited by an insurance carrier in accord with II.B.2.
III. Intervention with the Accused Monk
- The Abbot informs the monk of the allegation, requesting that the monk choose one other person, usually another monk, to be his support person and that he inform the Abbot who this person is.
- Based upon the investigation, the Abbot decides whether or not to suspend the monk from his present duties.
- Normally, the Abbot requires the monk to receive psychological evaluation. The Abbot will provide the professional with all relevant information in his possession pertaining to the alleged abuser.
- If the psychological evaluation recommends professional treatment or other action, the Abbot follows this recommendation unless the circumstances warrant otherwise.
- If the monk receives professional treatment, the Abbot normally takes the following steps:
- has the monk live at the monastery,
- finds appropriate work or vocational retraining and
- establishes appropriate limitations on involvement with students and employees of Saint John's as well as with visitors to the campus.
- After treatment, the Abbot and the monk, in consultation with the monk's treatment professional and others, establishes an aftercare program.
- If the monk completes the recommended treatment and the aftercare program, and receives a positive evaluation, the Abbot, after appropriate consultation, will consider giving the monk a permanent assignment with appropriate safeguards against further possibilities of perpetrating sexual abuse or sexual exploitation. The safeguards for ongoing assignment will be communicated to supervisors and colleagues as part of the work assignment.
- If at any time the Abbot with appropriate consultation determines that the monk cannot continue in monastic life, the Abbot will seek to have the monk leave the monastery voluntarily. If the monk does not leave voluntarily, the abbot may initiate appropriate canonical actions toward dismissal.
IV. Public Statement
- In most cases it will be appropriate for the Abbot to write a statement and send it to various constituencies of Saint John's.
- If allegations against a monk who is or has served in a parish are found to be credible, a prepared statement will be read at all the Sunday masses if approved by the Diocese in which the parish is located.
- If the allegation involves an incident that took place in a parish, a parish meeting for the parishioners will be held if approved by the Diocese in which the parish is located. The meeting should be limited to parishioners. Along with the pastor who chairs the meeting, the Abbot, a representative of the diocese, and the sexual abuse victim's advocate should be present.
V. Definitions
- Abbot: the abbot, the chief administrator of Saint John's Abbey or his delegate.
- Allegation: a complaint or accusation made by a victim to the Abbot or a credible report made to the Abbot by another person because the victim is prevented for a serious reason to speak directly with the Abbot.
- Sexual Abuse: under Minnesota law, the subjection of or any attempt to subject a child or vulnerable adult to any sexual act.
- Sexual Exploitation: under Minnesota law, any kind of sexual interaction between a counselor and client is sexual exploitation, whether initiated by either the counselor or the client. Clergy, when providing counseling, are considered counselors.
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Victim Assistance Service
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