John Kelly

Brother John Kelly, OSB was born in Jefferson, IA on October 28, 1950. Brother Kelly entered Saint John’s Abbey in Collegeville, MN and professed simple vows as a Benedictine Monk on July 11, 1975.

Brother Kelly served in various capacities for Saint John’s Preparatory School, Saint John’s University, and with SJU Athletics.

In 1982, a prep school student reported to counselor and Abbot Jerome Theisen, OSB that he was sexually abused by Brother Kelly. Brother Kelly was sent to Saint Luke Institute in Suitland MD. Upon evaluation and treatment at St. Luke’s, Brother Kelly returned to Saint John’s campus where he functioned as a bus driver.

In 1992, civil cases were filed naming Brother Kelly the perpetrator who sexually molested minors at Saint John’s.

In 2002, Brother Kelly was named by Abbot John Klassen as one of the monks credibly accused of sexually abusing a minor and placed him on restriction. Brother John Kelly OSB requested and was granted an indult of exclaustration from Saint John’s Abbey in 2002.