St John's Abbey has, since the 1960s, been consistently Protestant. One wonders how the Local Ordinary could yet again, consistently ignore the Protestantism and Pagan life of the community at St John's Abbey, Collegeville. On the other hand, the Abbot of a Benedicitne Abbey IS the absolute authority in his community, except when grave errors in Faith and Morals are discovered. In this case, the Local Ordinary (the Bishop) needs to investigate and put an end to these errors.

One finds it rather interesting that in the same country, there exists Clearcreek Abbey in Oklahoma (Extraordinary Form Liturgy and traditional Benedictine Life) AND St John's Abbey (with its Pagan Life and Protestant liturgy and Spirituality) - diametrically opposed to each other! Not to mention Conception Abbey (not as bad, but one can see why St Benedict frowned upon too much learning!).

On the other hand, there is St Meinrad's Archabbey which is not that far behind St John's and Conception abbey in their 'progressive' idea of Benedictine Life. However, could this problem be a contributing factor in those Americans serious about following the Regula Benedicte going to Subiaco Italy and laying the foundations for a very conservative Monastery there?

That Americans have to flee their home in search of the real thing is not new, just consider what Abbot Philip Anderson and his friends, of Clearcreek had to do: spend 25yrs at Fontgombault Abbey in France before coming home to live a good monastic life on 'home soil'! One hopes and prays that Abbot Anderson's efforts continue to bear much fruit and that the likes of St John's Abbey take example from Clearcreek!