New Stl Ties in Priest Sex Abuse Case

By Stephanie Diffin
KSDK
June 12, 2014

http://www.ksdk.com/story/news/crime/2014/06/12/thomas-adamson-st-michaels-institute/10398633/

[with video]

NewsChannel 5 has learned about more local ties to a high-profile priest sex abuse case.

The abuser in the case is a former Minnesota priest, who served for a time under the current St. Louis Archbishop Robert Carlson. At the time, during the early '80s, Archbishop Carlson was serving as a bishop in Minneapolis - St. Paul. He was one of the people in charge of monitoring former priest Thomas Adamson after the church became aware of Adamson's sexual abuse.

Part of Carlson's solution for Adamson brought the abuser to a treatment center in St. Louis.

The proof is in documents released as evident in a previous trial involving Adamson. They show Adamson agreed to undergo treatment at St. Michael's Institute in St. Louis, which has since been integrated into programs at the Vianney Center in Dittmer, Missouri. The center is not affiliated with the school.

Documents outlining his stay show that at the beginning, Adamson's doctors repeatedly described him as "angry" and "unsure of self."

During eight weeks of sessions, Adamson admitted he "avoids dealing with adults" and "perceives women as very powerful and threatening."

After two months of treatment, his doctors began writing letters to his archdiocese about finding placement for him, saying "he will be able to serve as a competent and able priest."

In his deposition, Adamson says he did not act as a priest in public after his treatment. He was eventually removed from his position with the church.

The documents are available through