Another accusation, another cover-up, another betrayal, another lawsuit — as reported in the June 24 Times, “Former St. Cloud bishop accused of abuse cover-up.”
The news details the claimed lack of effective action demonstrated by religious hierarchy who were aware of monk Bede Parry’s inappropriate sexual behavior with several students about 30 years ago.
(Maryville Daily Forum) A Missouri man filed a lawsuit against Conception Abbey last week, alleging that officials there covered up sexual abuse by a monk in the 1980s.
(WCF Courier) WATERLOO, Iowa — The Hudson-based spokesman for a local clergy sex abuse survivors group has taken Dubuque Archbishop Jerome Hanus to task for his handling 24 years ago of a former Catholic monk, as recounted in a new Missouri lawsuit. Hanus is not named as a defendant in that lawsuit.
On August 7, 1991, the sex abuse scandal in Collegeville was made public for the first time when two lawsuits were filed against Fr. Dunstan Moorse (for sexual abuse at St. John’s Preparatory School), St. John’s Abbey and the Order of St. Benedict. Below is a television news segment from that evening. St. Cloud Bishop Jerome Hanus also appears in the news segment.
“A lawsuit has been filed that makes several claims about me while I served as Abbot of Conception Abbey. I await the opportunity to respond to these claims according to the system of justice in our country.” – Jerome Hanus
(The Kansas City Star) A former Benedictine monk who directed a boys choir at a northwest Missouri abbey in the 1980s admitted on Thursday that he had inappropriate sexual relations with several members of the group.
Bede Parry, who led the Abbey Boy Choir of Conception Abbey from 1982 to 1987, told The Kansas City Star that he had sexual contact with five or six of the choir members as well as a student at a Minnesota university.
(KC Star) A Missouri man filed a lawsuit today against Conception Abbey in northwest Missouri, alleging a coverup of sexual abuse by a former monk who directed its boys’ choir in the late-1980s. The lawsuit, filed in Nodaway County Circuit Court, claims that Bede Parry, then a Benedictine monk, molested the plaintiff in 1987 during a summer camp at the abbey. At the time, Parry led the Abbey Boy Choir of Conception Abbey.
Parry, who was ordained in 1983, was then assigned to Conception Abbey where he was in charge of the choir program. In 1987, when the minor Plaintiff attended a residential choir camp at the Abbey, he was sexually abused by the priest. When the child’s parents brought the assault to the attention of Abbot Hanus, they were told that Father Parry had a “mental breakdown” and he would be treated for the breakdown.
During a phone conversation on May 12, 2011, you advised me that, on advice of the abbey’s legal counsel, you made a decision to not send such a letter. This decision is selfish, shortsighted and far from compassionate. I respectfully request that you reconsider.
George A. Hanus was born in Brainard, Nebraska. He took the name Jerome when he entered Conception Abbey, in Conception, Missouri. On September 1, 1961, he professed religious vows in the Order of Saint Benedict. He was educated at Conception Seminary and ordained a priest on July 30, 1966.
I write first of all to you who participated in the recent settlement with the Archdiocese. I also write to your spouses and to the members of your families. In addition, I include all survivors who as minors suffered sexual abuse perpetrated by any Church personnel.
“The entire church looks to bishops and priests for leadership. A few bishops, by the way they have mishandled this issue, have done great damage to the credibility of the church.” – Jerome Hanus
“The church could take a giant step toward restored health if others found the courage to follow the example of Hanus. For all the hurt that had piled up between bishops and victims, Hanus’ simple remarks were met with a standing ovation.”