At Least Two Other Report Being Assaulted By Catholic Sister

Some of the Crimes Took Place in Rochester

This Is First Lawsuit Against Former Music Teacher

Attorney Predicts More Allegations Against Nuns Will Happen

WHAT:
At a news conference, clergy sex abuse victims will announce a new civil molestation lawsuit against a nun who assaulted young girls in Minnesota and Illinois.

WHEN:
Tuesday, May 31, 10:30 a.m.

WHO:
The woman who is suing and other clergy sex abuse victims (including a man who was molested by a different nun) who belong to a support group called SNAP (the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests)

WHERE:

On the sidewalk outside the "Mother House" or headquarters of the Franciscan Sisters, 1001 14th Street NW in Rochester

VISUALS:

The victim will have photos of herself with the perpetrator.

WHY:

Sr. Benen Kent, who belonged to a religious order called the Franciscan Sisters, repeatedly sexually abused at least three girls during the 1960s. The victim in this case was abused by the nun at St. Juliana’s school in Chicago (where she took piano lessons) and at the Franciscan Sisters' "Mother House" in Rochester (where the religious order is headquartered, and where Kent lived for the past 40 years).

Kent died in 2003. Beginning in 2002, the victim reported her abuse directly to Kent's superiors, seeking assurances that other kids were not at risk. Instead, the religious order stonewalled the victim and sought a gag order.

The civil lawsuit, which seeks unspecific damages, is being filed in Rochester, Minnesota (Olmsted Third Judicial District).

The victim is now married, has adult children, and lives in the San Francisco area. She grew up in Chicago, where most of the abuse happened.

CONTACT:
Jeff Anderson of St. Paul (Attorney) 651 227 9990, 612 817 8665 cell

Steve Thiesen of Hudson Iowa (also victimized by a Catholic nun) 319-231-1663
David Clohessy of St. Louis (SNAP National Director) 314 566 9790 cell