Diocese: Archdiocese of New York, Diocese of St. Cloud
Religious Order: Benedictine
Summary of Assignments:
- 1955: Became a monk at St. John’s; Collegeville, MN
- 1961: Ordained
- First mass at Church of the Visitation in Minneapolis, MN
- 1961-1962: Saint John’s University; St. Cloud, MN
- Freshman English professor and Prefect in Saint Anselm’s Hall
- 1962-1963: Theology Teacher at Colegio del Tepeyac; Mexico
- 1962-1963: Studied at Mexicano-Norteamericano Instituto Relaciones Culturales in Mexico City
- 1963-1964: English Teacher at Saint Augustine’s College; Bahamas
- 1964-1972: Saint Anselm’s Church; Bronx, NY
- 1964-1970: Associate Pastor
- 1970-1972: Pastor
- 1972-1978: Chaplain for the Benedictine Sisters at Mount Saint Benedict Monastery; Crookston, MN
- 1978-1980: Student at Monastic Institute of the International Benedictine College of St. Ansel; Rome, Italy
- 1980-1988: Novice Master at St. John’s Abbey
- 1980-1985: Director of Institute for Religion and Human Development at St. John’s
- 1980-1988: Taught theology for graduate and undergraduate students
- 1989-1991: Administrator at Mary Help of Christians Abbey (aka Belmont Abbey); Belmont, NC
- 1992: Rector at St. John’s Seminary
- 1992-2000: Abbot at St. John’s Abbey in St. Cloud Diocese
- 2001-2010: Abbott President of the American-Cassinese Congregation of Benedictine Men
- October 7, 2010: Died
Notes: In a June 2011 lawsuit, one man accused Kelly of sexually abusing him in 1966, while he was an altar boy at St. Anselm’s Church in the Bronx. The man reportedly knew between 4 to 12 other student victims at St. Anselm’s.
Sources: BehindThePineCurtin.com 6.7.11; Minnesota Public Radio 6.7.11; SNAP Statement 6.7.11; St. Cloud Times 6.6.11; St. Cloud Times 6.7.11; St. Cloud Times 6.8.11; Star Tribune 6.7.11; Star Tribune 6.7.11; The Republic 6.7.11; Wall Street Journal 6.7.11; John Doe i74 v. Order of St. Benedict et al, Case No. 11-CV-1489DWF, US Dist. Court for State of Minnesota 06.07.11; St. Cloud Times 06.10.11; Statement by Abbot John of St. John’s Abbey 06.10.11; St. John’s Abbey Statement 06.27.11; http://bishop-accountability.org/
Note: Years listed indicate editions of the Official Catholic Directory. Because of the publication schedule of the Directory, a priest listed at a parish in a given year was also likely at that parish for part of the previous year.