Fr. Richard Eckroth

Given name William. Allegations made public in 2002 that Eckroth sexually abused boys and girls in the early 1970s at a cabin owned by the Benedictines. At least one lawsuit was filed in 1993 by two victims. He was ordered back to St. John’s Abbey from the Bahamas and sent for treatment. The Benedictines may have known since the late 1980s of an earlier allegation. The Abbey paid $12K to at least one of his female victims. Eckroth was investigated for the 1974 murder of two girls who were sisters. In 6/2025 the case remains unsolved. He was living under restrictions at the Abbey. Name included on list of monks likely to have offended against minors released by the Abbey 12/9/2013 and on the St. Cloud diocese’s 1/3/2014 list. Named in two more lawsuits filed 5/19/2014 against the St. Cloud diocese, the order and St. John’s Abbey. Both men alleged they were abused by Eckroth when he was assigned to St. Joseph’s parish in St. Joseph MN in the early 1970s. Eckroth was said in 2014 to have advanced dementia. A new suit was expected to be filed 9/19/2014. Eckroth died 5/24/2015.