Fr. Richard Eckroth
Accusations made public in 2002 of abuse of boys and girls in the early 1970s at a cabin owned by the Benedictines. At least one suit was filed in 1993 by two victims. He was ordered back to St. John’s Abbey from the Bahamas and sent for treatment. Order may have known since the late 1980s of earlier allegation. Abbey paid $12K to at least one of his female victims. Investigated for the murder of two girls. Living under restriction at Abbey. Name on list of monks likely to have offended against minors released by the Abbey 12/9/13 and on St. Cloud 1/3/14 list. Named in two more lawsuits filed 5/19/14 against the St. Cloud diocese, the order and St. John’s Abbey. Both men alleged they were abused by Eckroth when he was assigned to St. Joseph’s parish in St. Joseph MN in the early 1970s. Eckroth is said in 2014 to have advanced dementia. New suit expected to be filed 9/19/14. Died 5/24/15.
- Associated Press 04.30.02
- Associated Press 05.08.02
- Star Tribune 05.09.02
- Star Tribune 05.09.02
- Associated Press 05.11.02
- Star Tribune 05.12.02
- Minnesota Public Radio 05.14.02
- Star Tribune 05.14.02
- Associated Press 06.07.02
- Star Tribune 06.07.02
- Houston Chronicle 06.14.02
- Star Tribune 09.29.02
- Star Tribune 09.29.02
- National Catholic Reporter 12.13.02
- St. Cloud Times 12.28.02
- A W Richard Sipe letter to Abbey 09.30.07
- Star Tribune 03.30.11
- St. Cloud Times 04.01.11
- Pioneer Press 12.09.13
- St Cloud Times 12.09.13
- Diocese of St Cloud–Bishop Kettler Press Release, 01.03.14
- Legal Examiner 01.03.14
- St. Cloud Times 01.03.14
- Star Tribune 01.03.14
- WJON 01.03.14
- KAAL TV ABC 6 05.18.14
- KSTP 05.18.14
- Media Release by Jeff Anderson & Assoc 05.18.14
- Complaint in John Doe 33 & 34 v Order of St Benedict a/k/a St John Abbey and Richard Eckroth 05.19.14
- Eckroth Timeline Released by Jeff Anderson 05.19.14
- KSTP Channel 05.19.14
- Pioneer Press 05.19.14
- St. Cloud Times 05.19.14
- Star Tribune 05.19.14
- WCCO 05.19.14
- St. Cloud Times 08.18.14
- Anderson & Associates Media Statement 09.17.14
- Pioneer Press 09.18.14
- St. Cloud Times 09.18.14
- KARE 09.19.14
- St. John’s Abbey 05.28.15
- MN Transparency Initiative 01.19.16
- St. Cloud Times 05.29.16
- WJON 05.29.16
Sources:
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