St. Michael Resident Named in St. John's Abbey Lawsuit

A St. Michael resident who was a resident at St. John's Abbey in Collegeville was listed in a class action lawsuit filed against the abbey last month. 

Brother John Kelly, now of St. Michael, is one of 17 monks accused in the lawsuit of sexual misconduct while he resided at the abbey. 

Abbot John Klassen, Order of St. Benedict, has also named Kelly in his list of offenders who worked with students at St. John's Prepatory School and St. John's University. 

According to records from the Order of St. Benedict, Kelly, 60, is an active monk, but does not live at the abbey. A native of Iowa, he professed his faith to the brotherhood in 1975 at the age of 24. 

Kelly's name was made public when attorney Jeffrey Anderson made public a letter sent to the St. John's community that listed 17 of the men accused in a lawsuit. 

The abbey has said there were "credible allegations" of sexual misconduct tied to the 17 men, three of whom are deceased, 10 of whom live at the abbey today and three of whom live outside the abbey. 

Anderson, who represents several plaintiff's in the lawsuit against the abbey, and a website operated by a former St. John's board member, released the list to the press March 30, 2011.  

Twin Cities CBS affiliate WCCO ran a piece on the local men, including Kelly, and also approached Kelly at his home. 

Attempts to reach Kelly for comment Friday were unsuccessful.