April 18, 2016

Three listening sessions have been scheduled next month following a recent allegation of sexual misconduct involving Benedictine Father Othmar Hohmann.

The sessions are:

  • 6:30 p.m., Wednesday, May 4, at Immaculate Conception Church in New Munich;
  • 6 p.m., Wednesday, May 11, at St. Boniface Church in Cold Spring; and
  • 7:30 p.m., May 11, at St. Joseph Church in St. Joseph.

Because of the allegation, Bishop Donald Kettler asked a Diocesan Response Team to hold listening sessions for the people of the parishes in which Father Hohmann served. Abbot John Klassen of St. John’s Abbey in Collegeville will join the Diocesan Response Team for these sessions.

Father Hohmann, a monk of St. John’s Abbey who died in 1980, served in the following parishes (official assignments in the Diocese of Saint Cloud): St. Joseph Church in St. Joseph, 1931 and 1961-1966; Immaculate Conception Church in New Munich, 1949-1954; and St. Boniface Church in Cold Spring, 1954-1957.

People are invited to attend any of the sessions.

These sessions have three primary goals: to assure parishioners of Bishop Kettler’s support and assistance; to offer a process whereby sexual misconduct issues and concerns can be voiced and discussed; and to allow other potential victims the opportunity to come forward and receive assistance and healing.

The listening sessions will not be open to the news media.