St. Louis Priory Monk Charged With Stalking, Resisting Arrest

By J. Ryne Danielson
Patch
February 4, 2019

https://bit.ly/2WDaqbz

Thirty-six-year-old Michael McCusker— a St. Louis Priory monk known by his religious name, Father John — has been charged with stalking and resisting arrest after authorities said they received reports of him looking into the windows of a house on Greenridge Drive Friday night.

Richmond Heights Police say they found McCusker around 10:15 p.m. hiding in the bushes near the home of a 38-year-old female Priory teacher.

Abbot Gregory Mohrman confirmed the arrest and expressed "a profound sense of sadness" in a letter to school parents dated Feb. 3. He explained that McCusker had been arrested for stalking another faculty member.

"We are in communication and cooperation with law enforcement and continue to gather facts," Mohrman wrote. "While we seek more information, our thoughts and prayers go immediately to the faculty member and family who have been impacted. Because the safety of our faculty and students remains our highest priority, I can affirm that Father John has been removed from his roles in the school effective immediately, and he is no longer residing on campus."

Mohrman said the monastic community recognizes the seriousness of the allegations against McCusker and offered his "deepest apology to those who have been affected by his actions."

"I ask you to please pray for all affected by Father John's actions," Mohrman concluded.

McCusker became a monk about eight years ago, according to a Patch post detailing the ceremony. He attended a Catholic boys' school housed on the church's campus and said in 2011 that he had wanted to become a monk since seventh grade. Father Ralph Wright, who teaches theology and English at the school, called McCusker "a straightforward individual with a good sense of humor and a talent for music and singing."

McCusker's bail was set at $500, cash-only. No attorney is listed.