The Richmond Letter
I realized that [St. Mary’s/Delbarton] was not a place of God, but rather a place of secrets, lies and abuse. – Former Monk at St. Mary’s Abbey
View Letter as PDF… Here (Opens New Window)
Letter to Richmond, Virginia Bishop DiLorenzo
January 10, 2012
Most Reverend Francis Xavier DiLorenzo
Catholic Diocese of Richmond, Virginia
7800 Carousel Lane
Richmond, Virginia 23294-4201
Bishop DiLorenzo,
The purpose of this letter is to make you aware of concerns regarding Rev. Luke Travers, a Benedictine monk who splits time between St. Mary’s Abbey in the Diocese of Paterson (New Jersey) and the Diocese of Richmond, Virginia.
You need to know, simply, with regard to Rev. Luke Travers:
He is currently on temporary restrictions pending investigation of other allegations. – Ann Ordway, Investigator for St. Mary Abbey, on January 9, 2012
There is a growing concern that the Diocese of Paterson and Richmond may have been misled by, among others, Abbot Giles Hayes of St. Mary’s Abbey, Abbot Hugh Anderson, current Abbot President of the American-Cassinese Congregation, and former Abbot President Timothy Kelly who initially approved of Rev. Travers’ appointment as the non-residential canonical administrator of Mary Mother of the Church Abbey in Richmond, Virginia in mid-April of 2010.
Please investigate all claims made herein, ask pointed questions (see Appendix A) and reevaluate your relationship with those who have repeatedly put vulnerable persons, and the Church’s reputation, in harm’s way.
Background
St. Mary’s Abbey in Morristown, New Jersey and Mary Mother of the Church Abbey in Richmond, Virginia belong to the American-Cassinese Congregation of Benedictine Monasteries.
Saint John’s Abbey in Collegeville, Minnesota and St. Procopius Abbey in Lisle, Illinois (both referenced herein) belong to the same congregation.
The American-Cassinese Congregation is led by the Abbot President. When an abbey finds itself without an abbot (due to illness, death, or a promotion, for example) the Abbot President usually appoints an administrator until a new abbot is elected.
In April of 2010, Abbot President (and former Saint John’s Abbey abbot) Abbot Timothy Kelly requested that Rev. Luke Travers from St. Mary’s Abbey become the next administrator at Mary Mother of the Church Abbey. Rev. Luke Travers was already familiar with the Mary Mother of the Church Abbey as he had been working as a financial consultant for the abbey since 2009.
Note: In 2009, Rev. Luke became a financial consultant for religious in the United States through The Resource Center for Religious Institutes. The Resource Center for Religious Institutes is headed by Rev. Daniel Ward, a canon lawyer and monk from Saint John’s Abbey. At least four men have alleged that Rev. Daniel Ward engaged in sexual misconduct and/or boundary violations.
In April or May of 2010, Rev. Travers accepted Abbot Timothy Kelly’s request.
Note: Abbot Timothy Kelly, as you are likely aware, was mentioned in a 2010 lawsuit which described sexual misconduct by Kelly while he was a priest in the Bronx, New York in the late 1960s and early 1970s. It has also been alleged on several occasions that Timothy Kelly, while at abbot Saint John’s, covered up misconduct by monks at Saint John’s.
It has been further alleged that Timothy Kelly, while Abbot President of the American-Cassinese Congregation, covered up misconduct by Archabbot Douglas Nowicki from St. Vincent’s Abbey prior to his reelection in May of 2010. These allegations have been canonically denounced to the competent Dicastery at the Apostolic See by Robert Flummerfelt JCL.
On June 4, 2010, Rev. Luke Travers was installed as the non-residential Canonical Administrator of Mary Mother of the Church Abbey in Richmond, Virginia.
According to Rev. Travers, his job as canonical administrator required that he drive to Virginia, spend three to fours days on each visit, and be in charge of a high school.
Rev. Travers wrote about the appointment in his high school’s alumni magazine:
While I don’t have to move there, I now spend several hours a day dealing with their issues and will be driving back and forth every six to eight weeks to spend some three to four days there. So I have become a carpetbagger!
and
The school is a military school (can you believe me in charge of that?)…
Source: Portsmouth Abbey School Alumni Bulletin (Summer, 2010)
Concern
It is my understanding that Rev. Luke Travers remains the Canonical Administrator of Mary Mother of the Church Abbey in Richmond, Virginia.
It is further my understanding that Rev. Luke Travers has suggested he may be in line to become the next abbot at Mary Mother of the Church Abbey in Richmond, Virginia. While an election is required, the perceived support Abbot President Hugh Anderson (as also suggested by Rev. Travers) would certainly be contrary to Canon 626:
Superiors in the conferral of offices and members in elections are to observe the norms of universal and proper law, are to abstain from any abuse or partiality, and are to appoint or elect those whom they know in the Lord to be truly worthy and suitable, having nothing before their eyes but God and the good of the institute. Moreover, in elections they are to avoid any procurement of votes, either directly or indirectly, whether for themselves or for others. (Canon 626)
Abstain from abuse and partiality? Not in this case.
Troubling are a series of emails sent by Rev. Simon Gallagher, a monk from St. Mary’s Abbey in Morristown, NJ and assistant to St. Mary’s Abbey Review Board to “Markus” (not his real first name) a victim of misconduct perpetrated by Rev. Luke Travers.
Rev. Simon Gallagher and the St. Mary’s Abbey Review Board learned about Markus in approximately June of 2011, after Markus wrote a letter describing grooming by Rev. Travers in approximately 1990:
My father was diagnosed with terminal cancer during this time and this monk became an emotional support for me. Along the way, he crossed boundaries which betrayed the inherent trust which is sacred to his position as a teacher and a priest. Apart from inappropriate remarks concerning appreciation of my physical appearance, he would increasingly attempt close contact with me.
The letter also described the alleged misconduct by Rev. Travers:
He invited me back to the monastery (he sneaked me in as lay people are not allowed there.) , and offered me a beer in his room. He began to talk about how other monks “visit his room often”. Then, he asked me to sit on his bed with him.. I did not. There were several times when he would hug me ( I have no problem with that), but then would start kissing me on the neck and ears. When I protested, he said there was nothing wrong with what he was doing because he loved me.
On June 14, 2011, Rev. Simon Gallagher wrote an email to Markus:
Thank you very much for your very informative and clear letter … I will be in touch later this month to let you know the consequences for Luke Travers. I sincerely apologize for his unpardonable behavior towards you.
On June 17, 2011, Rev. Simon Gallagher wrote to Markus (See Appendix B):
[Rev. Luke Travers] can no longer function as a priest anywhere except in the Abbey church nor for anyone other than his fellow Benedictines.
He cannot spend time with students or people under 25 years old; no teaching.
His only work will be in the business office; he will no longer have a car assigned to him each day. These elements of his safety plan will be reviewed by me and others 6 times each month.
The Abbey Review Board is already at work on your complaint and it has been given to the Morris County Prosecutor. … Thank you once more for making us aware of his outrageous conduct toward you.
On June 30, 2011, Rev. Simon Gallagher wrote to Markus:
LLT remains under the restrictions I conveyed to you and under restrictions.
On June 30, 2011, Rev. Simon Gallagher wrote to Markus:
The ARB has chosen Mrs. Ann Ordway to do their interview with you in or near Boston, hoping to make the investigation more convenient for you.
Soon after, news about Rev. Travers’ alleged misconduct had spread to members of the monastery and Delbarton School faculty.
In the fall of 2011 Rev. Bruno Ugliano allegedly shouted into an office at Delbarton School, “Take down Luke’s name off of everything!”
However, Removing Rev. Luke Travers’ name from the walls, publications and web sites of both Delbarton School and St. Mary Abbey is likely an impossible task.
Note: While he was a member of the abbey for some time before, twenty-four-year-old Leo Travers officially joined St. Mary’s Abbey on March 21, 1981. He had chosen “Luke” as his monastic name and was known as “Br. Luke” from 1979 or 1980 until his ordination on May 17, 1986.
Like many monks from St. Mary’s, Rev. Luke Travers served the Delbarton School community and the St. Mary’s Abbey community in many roles. Most notably, Rev. Travers was headmaster of Delbarton School from 1999 until 2007. He was a history teacher until 2011. Rev. Luke has also officiated at many weddings for Delbarton graduates.
The victim’s name had been leaked to the Delbarton School staff and was reportedly used freely during investigative interviews with staff members.
Note: At least one member of the faculty felt the interview was an attempt to intimidate, rather than gather information.
By the time that Markus met with an investigator hired by the Abbey Review Board on December 3, 2011, his name was well known by most faculty members and many alumni. A disappointed Markus reportedly brought this to the attention of the investigator.
This was not the first time that Delbarton/St. Mary’s had hired an investigator to review claims of misconduct. In February of 2011, four people (including two victims of misconduct at Delbarton/St. Mary’s) reportedly met with Larry Nagle, a former sex crimes investigator for the Middlesex County Prosecutor’s Office.
For over five hours, the four described the culture and what they knew about misconduct at Delbarton/St. Mary’s. During the interview, misconduct by Rev. Luke Travers and Rev. Justin Capato was described.
Following the interview, the two victims were told that Larry Nagle found their accounts of misconduct to be very credible. Despite their credibility, the St. Mary’s Abbey appeared to take no action with regard to Rev. Luke Travers and Rev. Justin Capato.
Note: Rev. Justin Capato remains listed as associate pastor (in the phone system) and the parochial vicar (on the web site, See Appendix C) at Notre Dame of Mount Carmel Parish in Cedar Knolls, New Jersey. In his outgoing voice mail message, Rev. Justin says “I will be away from the parish for an extended period of time.”
According to the woman who answered the phone at the parish on January 10, 2012, Rev. Justin is still on staff but is back at the abbey. “No one says anything,” she said, “He is constantly prayed for here.” Are they also praying for his victims?
This wasn’t the first time that the name of a victim of misconduct at St. Mary’s/Delbarton was made public.
In 2007, a victim decided to use his name.
The result was — and in some ways continues to be — devastating and debilitating. As is often the case in clergy and other abuse cases, the lack of support for victims (from family members, the institution which houses or employs the offender, and the victim’s peers) can be as painful (psychologically) as the abuse itself.
Despite this risk, Bob (his real first name) pressed on because he wanted the story told — and he wanted to support others.
According to an April 28, 2007 article in the Daily Record (Parsippany, N.J):
[Bob] used to be known as Mr. Green Wave, a member of the Delbarton School Hall of Honor, a former lacrosse star who gave back to his alma mater, the school he loved.
and
Delbarton was in some ways [Bob’s] life — until he publicly disclosed allegations five years ago that a former teacher who had been a monk and a deacon once tried to molest him. Since then, he has said over the years, he has not exactly felt welcome on campus.
and
[Bob] went public with his allegations in 2002 after going to the Abbey, where he said he was told to get a lawyer. He said an Abbey attorney called him a liar.
Bob has since rebuilt his life and reputation, minus the support of many of those who once cheered for him at Delbarton School. Bob paid a high price for coming forward. He did so, in part, to make it easier for those who might follow him.
According to Bob:
All I wanted was the best for everyone in stopping a person that I had knowledge of who was still capable of harming other children. The alumni are blind to all this and [other cases] needs to be public … this will surely empower victims to come forward. [Victims] are out there in the dozens. (January 12, 2012 email)
This wasn’t the first time that Delbarton officials tried to rewrite history following allegations of misconduct, either.
However, in Bob’s case, Delbarton didn’t remove the monk’s name. They removed Bob’s name!
From the same April 28, 2007 article in the Daily Record:
[Bob’s] name suddenly was removed from a top 10 scoring list in a Delbarton lacrosse yearbook…
How is Delbarton School able to get away with it?
According to another victim of misconduct (“Mike”) at Delbarton/St. Mary’s:
Delbarton has been successful through the peer pressure of the alumni to ridicule, disgrace and ostracize anyone who goes against their alma mater no matter what the offense is. Many Delbarton students past and present are the sons of high profile social figures such as CEO’s of large corporations, lawyers, Doctors, Actors and Sports figures to name a few and in turn become a part of that elite social machine. The current N.J. Governor Chris Christie’s son attends the school.
Mike (not his real first name) hopes that Delbarton/St. Mary’s will someday put the focus on the accused, not the accuser.
Mike recently stated:
Progress won’t happen while the abbey remains in denial. The truth is sometimes painful… and there is a lot of pain to come. But look at what is on the other side… a healthier monastery, a supportive community, and the opportunity for victims to begin the healing process… really, for everyone to begin the healing process.
Read more from Mike in Appendix D.
Community of Offenders?
While not every member of St. Mary’s Abbey is an offender or has had boundary issues, far too many have been accused of misconduct.
A partial list of monks (former and current and in no particular order) from St. Mary’s Abbey who have had accusations of misconduct and/or boundary issues:
Rev. Luke Travers Rev. Patrick Hurley Rev. Bruno Ugliano
Rev. Timothy Brennan Br. Malachy Flavin Rev. Justin Capato
Br. Conrad Hueser Rev. Benedict Worry Rev. Rembert Reilly
Rev. Donal Fox Rev. Richard Lott Rev. Benet Caffrey
Rev. Arthur Mayer Rev. Gabriel Coless
To suggest that every member of the monastic community has participated (by their actions or lack thereof) in the cover up of misdeeds by those list above, and other members of the Delbarton/St. Mary’s community, is not a stretch.
According to one former monk:
I realized that this was not a place of God, but rather a place of secrets, lies and abuse.
In the coming weeks, stories of victims, survivors and their advocates will paint that picture. Excerpts are available in Appendix E.
However, with regard to Rev. Luke Travers, the excerpts include:
When I was approximately fourteen-years-old, Rev. Luke Travers grabbed my crotch. He held on for a long time. He touched my muscles in the weight room, grabbed my butt, and wanted to discuss whether I kissed, touched or fingered my girlfriend.
and
In approximately 1995, a Delbarton School employee was told by Abbot Brian Clark to keep two monks (Rev. Luke Travers and Rev. Benet Caffrey) “at arms length” from students.
and
Following his election in 1995, Abbot Gerard Parker Lair asked a Delbarton School employee for suggestions. During the conversation, the employee told Abbot Lair that he no longer wanted to “monitor pedophiles”. Rev. Luke Travers and Rev. Benet Caffrey were discussed during that conversation.
and
In the early 1990s, Rev. Luke Travers was allegedly removed from his role as “Junior Guidance Counselor” at Delbarton School. According to a former employee, then headmaster Rev. Beatus Lucey said that Rev. Travers was “too close to students… touchy.”
and
Before Rev. Luke Travers was appointed headmaster in 1999, a group of six senior faculty members at Delbarton School met with Abbot Thomas Confroy. In addition to accusations of boundary issues, the group cited his volatility and instability. The abbot said his “hands were tied.” Luke was appointed anyway. The headmaster role normally came with a five year term limit. That was not the case with Luke.
and (from page 2)
My father was diagnosed with terminal cancer during this time and this monk became an emotional support for me. Along the way, he crossed boundaries which betrayed the inherent trust which is sacred to his position as a teacher and a priest.
and (from page 3)
When I protested, he said there was nothing wrong with what he was doing because he loved me.
Rev. Luke Travers Still Under Investigation
According to Mrs. Ann Ordway, an investigator hired by the Abbey’s Review Board
We are presently investigating allegations that have been made. Our investigation has not concluded and is still in progress. (January 8, 2012 email)
and
[Rev. Luke Travers] is currently on temporary restrictions pending investigation of other allegations. (January 9, 2012 email)
Abbot Giles Hayes would likely have put these “restrictions” into place after consulting with members of the Abbey Review Board.
Current members of the Review Board include:
Justice Marie Garabaldi (retired NJ Supreme Court)
Kenneth Kunzman, Esq.
Richard Collier, Esq.
Dr. Sharon Ryan Montgomery, PsyD
Laurie Albanese, JCL (Canon Lawyer)
Remember (from page 3) that in June of 2010…
[Rev. Luke Travers] can no longer function as a priest anywhere except in the Abbey church nor for anyone other than his fellow Benedictines.
He cannot spend time with students or people under 25 years old; no teaching.
His only work will be in the business office; he will no longer have a car assigned to him each day. These elements of his safety plan will be reviewed by me and others 6 times each month.
Which brings us back to the safety your community, the Diocese of Richmond, Virginia.
Richmond, Virginia
If these restrictions are in place, how does one explain what is going on in Richmond, Virginia?
In light of the “restrictions” and ongoing investigation, Rev. Luke Travers’ presence at Mary Mother of the Church Abbey (which is also home to the Benedictine High School athletic fields) should be reevaluated.
Consider:
While St. Mary’s may have limited his driving privileges, Rev. Luke Travers reportedly has 24/7 access to a vehicle with Virginia plates.
While St. Mary’s restricted his ability to say mass and spend time with individuals under twenty-five, Rev. Luke Travers reportedly celebrated mass for over 230 Benedictine High School students in the chapel on the grounds of Mary Mother of the Church Abbey on or about November 22, 2011.
Certainly, there appear to be more questions than answers. Some of those questions are listed in Appendix A.
Again, the request is made that you investigate all claims made herein, ask pointed questions and reevaluate your relationship with those who have repeatedly put vulnerable persons, and the Church’s reputation, in harm’s way.
Sincerely,
Patrick J Marker
Circle Path Media, LLC
PO Box 39
Mount Vernon, WA 98273
360-421-5849
CC:
Bishop Arthur Joseph Serratelli, Catholic Diocese of Paterson, New Jersey
Vicar General Rev. Mark Lane, Catholic Diocese of Richmond, Virginia
Msgr. James T. Mahoney; Catholic Diocese of Paterson, New Jersey
Abbot President Hugh Anderson OSB; Saint Procopius Abbey
H.E. Marc Cardinal Ouellet P.S.S.; Vatican City State
Archbishop Joseph Tobin; Vatican City State
Abbot Giles Hayes; St. Mary’s Abbey
Addendum A – Questions
1. When did St. Mary’s Abbey first learn of misconduct, sexual misconduct and/or boundary violations by Rev. Luke Travers?
2. How many victims of misconduct, sexual misconduct and/or boundary violations by Rev. Luke Travers have come forward?
3. Is St. Mary’s Abbey attempting to transfer Rev. Travers to Virginia because they are aware that at least one lawsuit regarding misconduct, sexual misconduct and/or boundary violations by Rev. Luke Travers is possible?
4. Has Rev. Luke Travers threatened one or more members of St. Mary’s Abbey with legal action if they make his name public with regard to allegations of misconduct, sexual misconduct and/or boundary violations?
5. Did Prior Bruno Ugliano request that all instance of Rev. Travers’ name be removed from Delbarton’s web site, Delbarton School literature, etc? Why?
6. To what extent did American Cassinese President Abbot Timothy Kelly cover up misconduct, sexual misconduct and/or boundary violations by Rev. Luke Travers?
7. To what extent has American Cassinese President Abbot Hugh Anderson covered up misconduct, sexual misconduct and/or boundary violations by Rev. Luke Travers?
8. Has Abbot Hugh Anderson downplayed allegations against Rev. Luke Travers?
9. At any point in time, have Abbot President Hugh Anderson, Abbot Giles Hayes and/or Rev. Luke Travers discussed the possibility that Rev. Travers might be elected abbot of Mary Mother of the Church Abbey? (See Canon 626)
10.What restrictions remain for Rev. Luke Travers in New Jersey?
11.What restrictions are in place for Rev. Luke Travers in Virginia?
12.When, if ever, was the Diocese of Richmond notified of alleged misconduct by Rev. Luke Travers, the current investigations and/or the restrictions he was under?
13.Has Rev. Travers had access to potential victims at Benedictine High School?
14. To what extent has Rev. Travers had access to young men in his role at Mary Mother of the Church Abbey?
15. Who funded the vehicle that Rev. Travers now drives? Who insures it?
Addendum B
June 17, 2011 Regarding Rev. Luke Travers
Appendix C
Rev. Justin Capato at Notre Dame of Mount Carmel
Appendix D
Note from Victim of Misconduct at Delbarton/St. Mary’s
More from a Victim at Delbarton/St. Mary’s:
Delbarton is a highly prestigious boys only preparatory school, where upon graduation a large percentage of graduates go on to one of the eight elite private Ivy League colleges, with Harvard being the most noted. In a way Delbarton has become the Harvard of the prep schools in NJ.
Many parents of students realize the importance of the social and elite status that Delbarton has to offer. That understanding of elitism is then passed onto their sons. The elitist atmosphere that has been established and enforced casts a weakness on anyone who would want to sue or publicly cast a dark shadow or tarnish the school’s reputation. Because clergy sex abuse directly reflects and associates with the alumni and their high social status.
As a member of this institution you could never admit to a wrong or expose a wrong done that affects the core of the institution that you have by default submitted to. A continuous cycle of cover up has been established that it is more important to protect the institution that feeds your social status than to seek truth and accountability of sexually abusive priest and monks.
The ends justify the means at all cost, and in no way shape or form does Delbarton and the Alumni want to be associated with the lifelong stigma of childhood sexual abuse by Delbarton clergy members.
Appendix E
Excerpts from Victims/Survivors of Misconduct at Delbarton/St. Mary’s
In 1992 Bob communicated Br. Malachy abuse to then Abbott Brian Clarke in the presence of both the Alumni President and the Director of Alumni Affairs. Abbot Clarke told Bob that he was not the first to come forward about Br. Malachy… that Br. Malachy had been removed from Abbey ministry following the abuse of another student in 1987.
After students witnessed two monks showing “affection” toward each other in the woods, the two monks left the monastery and now live together in New Jersey.
When I met with the Abbey Review Board 8 or 9 years ago, the men on the board were rude, had poor listening skills, and clearly believed the myth… an idealized vision of monks and what they represent.
When I was at the monastery, I lived a first class lifestyle, I wanted for nothing, we had chefs, free medical, no sense of responsibility, a sense of entitlement. I couldn’t be that person.
Current Abbott of Delbarton and former Headmaster Rev. Giles was the associate weekend pastor at St. Josephs during the height of Rev. Hanley’s sexual Olympic reign at St. Josephs. Every boy that was abused by Rev. Hanley knew Rev. Giles just as well as they knew Rev. Hanley, we were all altar boys and served for both priests.
Abbot Giles recently tried to enforce the supervision policy and invited Archbishop Rembert Weakland OSB, the former Archbishop of Milwaukee to join the Monastery in 2009. Weakland accepted the invitation but later declined the offer due to public outcry of how close he would be to students.
My Dad spoke directly with Giles about the abuse. Giles told my Dad that he was going to go and speak directly to then Abbott Thomas Confroy about the abuse. My Dad never heard back from Giles on the situation. And there was no following or initiating of the protocol that Giles had worked so hard on in establishing for Delbarton through the CMSM.
The monk stole jewelry and destroyed her, spiritually and psychologically
I saw a Delbarton School teacher and a star football player in the laundry room, engaging in what I now, more than ever, recognize to be inappropriate conduct.
She was asked to sign papers that said that the monk and Delbarton/St. Mary’s were not culpable. That may have prevented two victims from coming forward.
Novices who came in were referred to as the “Belles of St. Mary’s”… nothing short of both disgusting and appalling!
