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(KNSI) – The head of St. John’s Abbey in Collegeville has hit the mandatory retirement age, and a vote is underway to find his successor.

Abbot John Klassen is stepping aside in accordance with Church law as he turns 75 this month. He has been head of the local Order of St. Benedict monks for the last 23 years. He is the 10th man to lead the order. He grew up on a farm near Elrosa and attended St. John’s Preparatory School and St. John’s University.

Monks started meeting on Monday to pick a new leader. According to the OSB’s website, the election is not about how the selection might best serve the individual but instead best serve the community’s welfare.

After the election, a date will be selected for Bishop Patrick Neary of the Diocese of St. Cloud to bestow a blessing on the new Abbot, indicating the prayerful support of the Church.

Abbot Klassen was elected in 2000 and is credited with tackling allegations of sexual abuse perpetrated by monks at the abbot and other members of the Roman Catholic Church.

In 2016, St. John’s Abbey voluntarily released the names of deceased, former, and current monks who likely abused minors. The most updated list includes 21 names: 14 deceased, three no longer at the abbey, and four men under supervised safety plans.

Under Abbot Klassen, the abbey completed the seven-volume Saint John’s Bible and the state-of-the-art gallery, which is free and open to the public.

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