Hearing Tomorrow in Thief River Falls in Case Where Statute of Limitations Extended by Bishop Michael J. Hoeppner’s Coercion Attorneys asking Court to Sanction the Diocese of Crookston for Concealing Msgr. Roger Grundhaus’ Name(Thief River Falls, MN): In a hearing tomorrow, courageous survivor Ron Vasek will ask the Court to deny the Diocese of Crookston’s attempts to throw out his public nuisance and negligence claims. Ron Vasek was sexually abused by former Vicar General of the Diocese of Crookston, Msgr. Roger Grundhaus, in approximately 1971. After Mr. Vasek disclosed the…
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St. John’s Abbey settles 17 more sex abuse cases, 3 never before disclosed names added to its list of abusersNewly identified abusers, Fr. Strub, Fr. Kelly and Fr. Plakut Worked Throughout Minnesota“This is real progress,” says Attorney Jeff AndersonFather Augustine Strub Bio and Assignment HistoryFather Casimir Plakut Bio and Assignment HistoryFather James Kelly Bio and Assignment History(St. Paul, MN) – On Monday, St. John’s Abbey added three more names to a growing list of its priests and monks who have sexually abused children. St. John’s acknowledged that monks Fr. Casimir Plakut, Fr. Aug…
(St. Paul, MN) –Mitchell Hamline School of Law and Jeff Anderson & Associates are breaking new ground in child abuse prevention and legal education by announcing the Zero Abuse Project (ZAP). A $2 million gift from Jeff Anderson & Associates to Mitchell Hamline will launch a collaboration aimed at training professionals and transforming how institutions play a necessary …
We are disturbed but not surprised by Pope Francis’ support of Cardinal George Pell after Australian authorities charged him with multiple counts of “historical sexual assault offenses” on Thursday. The Vatican stated it learned of the charges “with regret” and that Pope Francis appreciated Pell’s honesty and commitment. during his three years at the Vatican, where he is the third-ranking official.“This comment about Pell’s ‘honesty’ is a rebuke to survivors and another step backwards for the papacy and any perceived progress regarding clergy sex abuse,” said…
(Minneapolis, MN) – Today, the Crosier Fathers & Brothers filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in United States Bankruptcy Court, District of Minnesota. The Crosier order is a Roman Catholic religious order of priests and brothers with communities in Phoenix, Arizona and Onamia, Minnesota. The Crosier order is the 18th Catholic Diocese or Religious order to file for bankruptcy protection in the United States. Sexual abuse survivors and the Crosiers have worked together to reach a framework for a $25.5 million dollar agreement to fairly compensate survivors of child sexual abuse by me…
(Minneapolis, MN) – In December 2016, United States Bankruptcy Court Judge Robert J. Kressel ruled that two proposed reorganization plans would move forward to a vote in the Archdiocese of Saint Paul & Minneapolis bankruptcy case. One plan was submitted by the Archdiocese and one plan was submitted by the Creditors’ Committee. Of the 447 people eligible to vote, 406 people participated in the voting process. The plan submitted by the Creditors’ Committee received 94% of survivors’ votes and 93% of the survivors who participated voted to reject the plan proposed by the Archdiocese.
Sexual Abuse Survivor Ron Vasek Breaks SilenceAbout Abuse by Former Diocese of Crookston Vicar General Msgr. Roger GrundhausCrookston Bishop Michael Hoeppner Sued for Coercion (St. Paul, MN) – A Minnesota man sued the Diocese of Crookston and Bishop Michael Hoeppner on Tuesday, claiming that Hoeppner coerced him into keeping silent about his alleged abuse by a Diocese of Crookston priest 46 years ago and signing a document stating the abuse never occurred.Ron Vasek and his attorney, Jeff Anderson, announced the filing of the lawsuit in St. Paul. Vasek alleges that he was abused as a minor by…
(New York, New York) – The Archdiocese of New York announced Phase II of its Independent Reconciliation and Compensation Program (IRCP) for survivors of clerical sexual abuse. The program which opened in October has now been extended to include sexual abuse survivors who have not previously reported their abuse to the Archdiocese. However, the question of a survivor’s…
Sexual abuse survivors are eligible to receive compensation for the abuse they suffered even if they have not previously reported to the Archdiocese Eligibility for the program turns on alleged perpetrator identity and proof (New York, New York) – The Archdiocese of New York announced Phase II of its Independent Reconciliation and Compensation Program (IRCP) for survivors of clerical sexual abuse. The program which opened in October has now been extended to include sexual abuse survivors who have not previously reported their abuse to the Archdiocese. However, the question of a survivor’s elig…
(New Ulm, MN) – Today, the Diocese of New Ulm filed for Chapter 11 Bankruptcy protection. The Diocese of New Ulm is the sixteenth Catholic Diocese or Religious Order to file for bankruptcy in the United States. In 2015, the Archdiocese of Saint Paul & Minneapolis and the Diocese of Duluth filed for bankruptcy protection as well. Both cases are still pending in bankruptcy court. “The bankruptcy filing does not stop the pursuit of justice for sexual abuse survivors,” said Attorney Mike Finnegan. “Survivors will continue to seek truth and accountability in the bankruptcy process.” Sexual abus…