Fr. Timothy Backous

St. John’s Prep School headmaster 2006 -13. Parents of former St. John’s Boys’ Choir member in 5/14 alleged sex abuse of their son by Backous during choir’s 1990 bus trip across Europe; parents knew in 1991 and reported to Abbot. Abbot paid for son’s counseling and apparently told parents Backous would no longer work with children. Sheriff told parents he had no authority because abuse was in Europe. Parents learned 5/24/14 Backous said mass at Memorial Day weekend at the Basilica of St. Mary in Minneapolis; they informed Archbishop. Abbot of St John’s Abbey wrote 6/10/14 that allegations had never been proven and Backous was not working under any restrictions but was a priest in good standing. He also worked at Essentia Health in Duluth. Named in 2 lawsuits 4/16: a man claimed abuse at St. John’s Prep 1982-83 at age 16; another alleged abuse at age 12-13 by Backous on a choir trip to Europe in 1990. Abbey called allegations “without merit and false.”