MINNESOTA
KARE
[with video]
JULIE NELSON, ANCHOR AND STEVE ECKERT, INVESTIGATIVE PRODUCER
One former Benedictine monk claims during his time there, officials at St. John’s Abbey turned a blind eye to sexual abuse and were part of a “pattern” of covering up for abusive monks.
“I contend that St. John’s produces, protects, fosters this kind of behavior,” says Richard Sipe.
Sipe, who attended St. John’s and once served as a consultant on a task force on sexual abuse at St. John’s Abbey, claims sexual misconduct was a systemic problem.
His allegations come on the heels of a settlement last week in the case of Troy Bramlage, who sued St. John’s Abbey for failing to protect him from sexual abuse by Father Allen Tarlton, back in the 1970s.
“Take your life back,” said Bramlage at a news conference about the settlement. “Don’t stay in the dark. The way we win is to bring this to light.”
Bramlage alleged he was molested when he was just 14, by his English teacher at St. John’s Preparatory School.
The settlement, according to Bramlage’s attorney Jeff Anderson, also requires St. John’s Abbey to release the files of 18 other monks accused of sexually abusing children.
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