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8/11/1999 THE DALLAS MORNING NEWS
Ex-priest gets probation for sex abuse Former Episcopal clergyman
admits molesting Dallas 8-year-old
Mark Wrolstad: Staff Writer of The Dallas Morning News

PHOTO(S): (The Dallas Morning News: Kim Ritzenthaler) Dr. Lynn Bauman (right) leaves the Fannin County Courthouse
shielded by his son and other family members and friends after he admitted sexually abusing an 8-year-old Dallas boy. The
former priest, who was once nationally known as a spiritual leader and author, received 10 years' probation Tuesday.

BONHAM, Texas - A defrocked Episcopal priest haltingly admitted sexually abusing an 8-year-old Dallas boy
on a religious-retreat camping trip and was sentenced Tuesday to 10 years' probation.

Dr. Lynn Bauman, 57, seemed subdued and withdrawn as his victim's father described him as "powerfully
gifted" and "extremely dangerous." But he made no apologies.

Once nationally known among Episcopalians as a spiritual leader and author, Dr. Bauman also received a
$1,500 fine and 240 hours of community service on each of two second-degree felonies - indecency with a child
by contact and inducing a sexual performance by a child.

His plea bargain averted a possible prison term because the victim's family preferred not to put the boy, now
11, through a jury trial.

Dr. Bauman, who founded a spiritual retreat and community near the Red River after he left the Church of the
Good Shepherd in Cedar Hill, is suspected of fondling and engaging in lewd behavior with several young boys,
Fannin County Attorney Jim Moss said.

The other families either decided not to pursue charges, denied the abuse or defended Dr. Bauman, who has
remained free on a $10,000 bond and continues working as a spiritual adviser and lecturer in the United
States and Canada, Mr. Moss said.

"I would've relished the chance to try this case," Mr. Moss said. "But we did some good today."

Dr. Bauman must enter the county's sex-offender program and will be registered as a sex offender with the
state of Texas. Even if he successfully completes his probation, one felony conviction will remain on his
record.

At the sentencing hearing, the victim's father - a longtime parishioner now living out of state - said his son
suffered "devastating consequences" from the abuse by a "well-respected clergyman, teacher and leader."

Dr. Bauman left the Fannin County Courthouse shielded by family members and friends and made no further
comments. But former friends and the prosecutor questioned whether he has accepted responsibility for his
actions.

The offenses happened at Dr. Bauman's retreat, which he started in 1993 near the town of Telephone, about 85
miles northeast of Dallas. The property has no official affiliation with the Episcopal Church but lies within the
Dallas diocese.

He regularly went skinny-dipping with boys 8 to 12 years old and sometimes slept with them, according to
authorities.

The first allegations of abuse came to light in March 1997. The primary victim later told a psychologist that,
while he was in bed the previous summer, Dr. Bauman touched the boy's genitals and had the boy touch his.

Dr. Bauman also was charged with masturbating in front of a small group of boys - not including the
8-year-old - and having them do the same.

Deflecting blame

In a March 1997 letter to the boy's parents professing his regard for the family and asking for a
reconciliation, Dr. Bauman said the 8-year-old was the instigator.

In later letters to friends, Dr. Bauman blamed the allegations on "a serious misunderstanding" and vowed to
continue his religious work.

On Tuesday, with some prompting from state District Judge Jim Lovett, Dr. Bauman publicly acknowledged
his behavior for the first time.

Questioned about his offenses, Dr. Bauman at first said, "I agree to that," referring to his indictment. "I want
you to publicly declare in your own words what exactly you did," the judge responded.

Dr. Bauman, standing meekly in the small courtroom, paused, then said, "I had sexual contact with the
genitals of [the victim]."

As to the second count, he said, "I had him perform masturbation."

"Who is "him'?" the judge asked.

Dr. Bauman named the 8-year-old, surprising his accusers since that boy was not in the group.

"He told us something we didn't know today," Mr. Moss later said.

Turning his back to Dr. Bauman, the father told the court that the sexual abuse robbed his son of his
childhood innocence and that he continues to struggle with its effects.

The former priest "spins stories of mentoring and sex education. The truth is that Mr. Bauman has a terrible
problem with sexuality and children that has had devastating consequences," the father said.

"Extremely dangerous'

"He has enormous charisma and intellect. Parents were pleased and delighted that he wanted to spend time
with their children. He is powerfully gifted and this makes him extremely dangerous."

Before the hearing, the father said that the Episcopal Diocese of Dallas appears to have no liability in the case.

Bishop James Stanton, who removed Dr. Bauman from the priesthood when he resigned rather than face a
church trial, called the events tragic for everyone.

As for Dr. Bauman's continuing spiritual work, the bishop said the conviction removes him from "the large
gray area" of accusation.

"It's a problem that people are not fully informed of his status," he said.

Until he was defrocked, Dr. Bauman was a part-time assistant at Church of Ascension in the Lake Highlands
area, and he taught at the Anglican School of Theology at the University of Dallas in Irving.

Paul DesRochers, a former member of the retreat community where a few people still live, said he hopes other
children will be protected. But he doubts Dr. Bauman's sincerity.

"I know him to be very manipulative and a good actor," he said. "I'm worried because he really has an ability to
seduce parents and deceive them."

1/7/1998 THE DALLAS MORNING NEWS
Former Episcopal priest charged with molestation Retreat leader blames
allegations on `misunderstanding'
Brooks Egerton: Staff Writer of The Dallas Morning News

A former Episcopal priest faces a charge of molesting one young Dallas boy and is suspected of sexually
abusing two others, Fannin County authorities said Tuesday.

Dr. Lynn Bauman, leader of a religious retreat center about 100miles northeast of Dallas, resigned from the
priesthood several months ago after allegations surfaced that he fondled an 8-year-oldboy in 1996.

He was indicted last week on a felony charge of indecency with a child and remained free Tuesday after
posting a $10,000 bond. He declined to comment Tuesday evening and referred questions to Dallas lawyer
David Coody, who could not be reached.

In letters written to friends in May, Dr. Bauman, 55, attributed the accusations to "a serious
misunderstanding" and vowed to continue religious work.

"I do not intend to withdraw either from life or active lay ministry, but to continue with my teaching and the
fundamental work to which I am called and committed," he wrote.

He wrote that Episcopal Diocese of Dallas Bishop James M. Stanton "has encouraged me to go on with my
teaching. . . . I will also continue to be available for the conference, retreat and seminar ministry which has
been growing over the last several years."

Bishop Stanton was unavailable for comment Tuesday, a spokesman said. In a June letter to the diocese's
priests, the bishop said Dr. Bauman resigned after he confronted him with "serious allegations . . . involving
minors."

Church takes action

Bishop Stanton wrote that he then deposed Dr. Bauman, meaning that he "is no longer a member of the
ordained clergy" and "may not engage in any form of ministry or otherwise officiate in any institution of the
diocese."

Dr. Bauman founded and lives with his wife at Elwood Farm Retreat Center in northern Fannin County, where
authorities say the 8-year-old was abused in June 1996. The boy's family lived in Dallas then and also spent
time at the retreat.

The center is not affiliated with the Episcopal Church, said the Rev. Canon D. Bruce MacPherson, the
diocese's No. 2 official.

He said Dr. Bauman acknowledged no wrongdoing but agreed to undergo therapy - something that "will help
the person come to grips with it."

The diocese, he said, also has offered support to the family of the boy and has notified all parishes that Dr.
Bauman was deposed because of misconduct allegations involving children."When something like this
takes place, we don't hide it," Canon MacPherson said. The allegations "warranted his removal from the
priesthood."

He said he was aware of only one previous case in the diocese in which a priest had been deposed because of
molestation allegations. He would not name the priest, who he said was removed in 1992, before Bishop
Stanton took office.

In one of his letters, Dr. Bauman said he had suffered harassment and "a living nightmare" but was not bitter.

"This is not an easy world for any of us to live in, nor is it an easy time for the church," he wrote. "Especially
it is not easy for clergy everywhere, who are often most vulnerable to all sorts of innuendoes and accusations."

Chief Deputy Wendell Bockman, who handled the case for the Fannin County Sheriff's Department, said Dr.
Bauman identified himself as a teacher Tuesday when asked his occupation.

His surrender and posting of bond, the chief deputy said, "was handled pretty discreetly."

Chief Bockman said the family of the alleged victim is being represented by Dallas attorney Sylvia Demarest,
one of the lawyers who won a $119.6 million clergy-abuse judgment this summer against the Catholic Diocese
of Dallas and suspended priest Rudolph "Rudy" Kos.

Ms. Demarest said the family intends to cooperate with the criminal prosecution and hasn't decided whether to
pursue civil action. She declined to comment further.

More charges possible

Fannin County District Attorney Jim Moss said that his investigation is continuing and that more charges are
possible.

"There's smoke," Mr. Moss said, "and we're going to keep poking till we see if there's fire."

Until he was removed, Dr. Bauman served as a part-time assistant pastor at Church of the Ascension in the
Lake Highlands area of Dallas. Previously, he was rector at Church of the Good Shepherd in Cedar Hill for
several years and also had served on an interim basis at Holy Cross Episcopal Church in Paris, Texas.

Dr. Bauman also taught theology at the Anglican School of Theology and the Institute for Religious and
Pastoral Studies, both of which offer classes at the University of Dallas in Irving. He is no longer affiliated
with either institution, officials said.

Dr. Bauman was featured in a 1995 Dallas Morning News story about spiritual directors - religious figures
who help people deepen their prayer activities.

"We're all on an inner pilgrimage of transformation of our heart and soul and need assistance getting to our
destiny," he was quoted as saying. "It's a vast territory out there. Like any journey to a vast country, we need
maps, guides and assistance."

He said that growing numbers of Christians were seeking the aid of spiritual directors.
"It's making a comeback everywhere, especially with Protestants rediscovering this in their heritage," Dr.
Bauman said. "There's a spiritual thirst in the modern world that demands it."

Tuesday, Feb. 6, 2007-- PRESS RELEASE
Convicted child molester to lead religious retreat
He's an admitted abuser and registered sex offender

Starting Thursday, a convicted child molester and registered sex
offender will lead a retreat on/near the grounds of St. John's Abbey in
Collegeville.

Lynn C. Bauman, a prominent defrocked Episcopalian
priest, admitted molesting one eight year old boy in 1996 in Texas on a
retreat/camping trip. He was sentenced to ten years' probation.

The Dallas Morning News called Bauman 'a nationally known spiritual
leader and author' ("Ex-priest gets probation for sex abuse" by Mark
Wrolstad, 8/11/99). According to the newspaper, Bauman is accused of
molesting at least two other boys ("Former Episcopalian charged with
molestation," by Brooks Egerton, 1/7/99).

The publicity or promotion material for the retreat neglects to mention
that Bauman is an admitted child molester.

The retreat is sponsored by the Episcopal House of Prayer on Fruit
Farm Road in Collegeville, near a Catholic parish. It was created by an
arrangement between the Abbey and the Minnesota Episcopal Diocese.
The House of Prayer is found on the Abbey's website under the heading
"directory and campus links" - http://www.ehouseofprayer.org/
http://www.saintjohnsabbey.org/contact/index.html

Under the phrase "About Us" on the House of Prayer web site, this
statement is made: "The Episcopal House of Prayer is situated on five
acres of wooded land provided by St. John's Abbey, a Roman Catholic
Benedictine monastery in Collegeville, Minnesota."

Lynn Bauman's brother, Ward Bauman, is the director of the program.

Lynn Bauman, now, 65, is scheduled to lead other retreats in the
coming months. He calls himself the "Director of the Praxis Learning
Center."

In July 2006, Lynn Bauman was scheduled to lead a program at the
Episcopal House of Prayer during a time when there were programs for
young people on campus.

For details:
Ward Bauman, 14742 Fireside Circle, Cold Spring, MN 320 685 8064
Episcopal House of Prayer 320 363 3293 houseprayer@csbsju.edu
Way of The Wolf Retreat Center, Fredericksburg TX 830 997 0711
David Clohessy, national director of SNAP, 314 566 9790
Bob Schwiderski, minnesota SNAP, 952 471 3422

Letter to the editor,
A former Episcopal minister who has admitted molesting a child asks
'Why can't everyone just forgive and forget?' He now leads retreats and
wonders 'What's the big fuss?' ("Retreat facilitator's past as sex
abuser resurfaces," 2/7/07)

People can, of course, choose to forgive him. That's an individual
decision each of us should make. People should not, of course, help him
victimize others. That's a societal obligation each of us have. And that's
why groups like ours try to educate and warn vulnerable families about
potentially dangerous men.

We especially worry about men like Lynn Bauman, who claims to have
'reformed' yet hides his crimes and operates in the same ways he did
before he pled guilty to molesting an eight year old. That crime took
place at a remote religious retreat center in Texas. Guess what
Bauman does now? He runs a remote religious retreat center in Texas,
and does similar work around the country.

We believe everyone in and around St. John's Abbey in Collegeville
deserves to know about sex offenders in their midst and to be safe from
them. That's why we alerted the public to Bauman's presence. He can
try to portray us as vengeful. We believe we are prudent.

Barb Dorris, SNAP National Victims Outreach Director; 2/8/2007

February 06, 2007 �The Minneapolis Star Tribune
Retreat facilitator's past as sex abuser resurfaces
A victims' advocacy group says the adult participants in an Episcopal center's retreat should be told that the
facilitator is registered with the Texas Department of Corrections. The former priest says he is reformed.

By Pamela Miller, Star Tribune

A group representing clergy sex-abuse victims criticized an Episcopal retreat center in Collegeville, Minn.,
on Tuesday for inviting a registered sex offender -- the brother of the center's director -- to lead a retreat this
weekend.

Lynn Bauman, 64, admitted to molesting an 8-year-old boy on a camping trip in 1996 and was sentenced to 10
years' probation, according to the Texas Department of Corrections. He said Tuesday night that he admitted to
wrongdoing and has not reoffended, and that it is "not germane" to his work now.

Bauman is scheduled to lead this weekend's $310-per-person "Wisdom School Introduction" retreat, which
focuses on fact and fiction about Mary Magdalene and related topics, from Thursday to Sunday at the Episcopal
House of Prayer. The center can accommodate 24 people per retreat.

The center, which is associated with the Episcopal Diocese of Minnesota, is built on land leased from St.
John's Abbey, according to diocese spokesman Joe Bjordal and abbey spokesman the Rev. William
Skudlarek.

"Here we have a convicted sex offender coming into Minnesota under the guise of religion, and everyone who
attends could be in harm's way," said Bob Schwiderski of the Minnesota chapter of Survivors Network of
Those Abused by Priests (SNAP). "And it's not the first time he's been here. We don't know who might come
into contact with him while he's here."

Bauman, a former Episcopalian priest and the brother of Episcopal House of Prayer director Ward Bauman, is
profiled on the Texas Department of Public Safety's sex-offender registration program website.

A front-page Dallas Morning News story dated Aug. 11, 1999, said a plea bargain was struck over the 1996
camping-trip incident because the boy's family did not want the boy subjected to a trial.

Reached at his Texas home Tuesday evening, Lynn Bauman, who runs a spiritual-education organization
called Praxis, called the incident "very old news." He said he has followed his probation to the letter.

"If they thought I was dangerous, the authorities would hardly let me travel out of state," Lynn Bauman said.
"I'm not a predator, and it's unjust and unfair of people to suggest that I am. The mistake I made, which I have
admitted, is simply not germane to my work. And there were some things said back then that were not true, yet
I have no recourse to defend myself."

Officials knew of past

In a statement, the Episcopal Diocese of Minnesota said that Bauman has been "a well-received lecturer at the
House of Prayer for over a decade" and that Episcopal Bishop James Jelinek and St. John's Abbot John
Klassen knew of his past.

Jelinek granted a request by the House of Prayer's board to employ Bauman "subject to the restrictions of
[his] probation," the statement said. "On each visit, Mr. Bauman has registered with local law enforcement
officials. His workshops have been for adults only."

Spokeswomen for the Stearns County Sheriff's Office and the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension
said sex offenders registered in other states need only notify Minnesota law enforcement if they're visiting for
longer than 14 days, and then only under certain conditions related to the crime's severity and the terms of
their probation.

He's 'paid and suffered'

Ward Bauman, of Cold Spring, Minn., said Lynn Bauman will be in Minnesota for four to five days, and added
that his brother led retreats at the House of Prayer well before he became its director four years ago.

"Lynn has paid and suffered for this," Ward Bauman said. "But still, the SNAP people follow him around.
What do they want? They don't look at whether a person is safe now or not. Should a man's life be destroyed
over one incident?"

Schwiderski said SNAP believes retreat participants "should not be kept in the dark" if a facilitator is a sex
offender.

"We want to be fair to the institutions involved, and this might be an excellent program, but let's call a spade a
spade," he said. "Sex offenders are registered for a reason. People should not be kept in the dark about who
they're dealing with. "

Lynn Bauman said there has to be a point where a reformed sex offender is allowed to reenter society as a
penitent and productive citizen.

"Where is forgiveness for a person who has made a mistake and not reoffended?" he said. "There's no mercy
and no justice in these people hounding me.

"One of the things forgotten here is that people who have made a mistake can grow and move on," he said. "I
have done that, and all I ask is that people give me a chance to do my work."

Pamela Miller � 612-673-4290 � pmiller@startribune.com; �2007 Star Tribune. All rights reserved.

Collegeville, Minn. / Texas sex offender to lead religious retreat
Victims' network opposes appearance by former Episcopal priest
BY KEVIN HARTER -- Pioneer Press -- February 7, 2007

Despite the protests of a victims' advocacy group, a registered sex offender is scheduled to lead a religious
retreat today at an Episcopal center in Collegeville, Minn.

Lynn Bauman, 64, who admitted molesting an 8-year-old boy during a camping trip in Texas in 1996 and was
sentenced to 10 years of probation in 1999, will lead a four-day, $310-per-person retreat, titled "Wisdom
School Introduction."

Organizers "are in denial. They should warn people. They have a responsibility to protect children; they owe
society that," said Bob Schwiderski of the Minnesota chapter of the Survivors Network of those Abused by
Priests.

But church officials and the Episcopal House of Prayers board president asked for understanding and
forgiveness Wednesday.

"Clearly an incident occurred. And he has been judged and punished," said Helen Hansen, of St. Paul, a
longtime retreat center board member and its president. "He has taken the proper steps. We are not dealing
with a repeat offender. � He has something important � insight and wisdom � to share."

Bauman, a former Episcopal priest, now heads Praxis Learning Center, a Texas-based spiritual education
organization. He could not be reached for comment Wednesday. His brother Ward Bauman, director of
Episcopal House of Prayer retreat center, did not return calls seeking comment Wednesday.

The retreat center, which is associated with the Minneapolis-based Episcopal Diocese of Minnesota, is on land
leased from St. John's Abbey on the Collegeville university's grounds.

"Forgiveness, healing and reconciliation are at the heart of the ministry of the House of Prayer, and Lynn
Bauman is a gifted teacher and retreat leader who has taught at the House of Prayer for many years," said
Barry Fernald, first vice chairman of the center's board of directors.

Bauman's retreat, according to a brochure, will focus on Mary Magdalene and address the facts and fiction of
her story.

The Episcopal Diocese, in a written statement, noted that Bauman had been "a well-received lecturer at the
House of Prayer for over a decade." Episcopal Bishop James Jelinek and St. John's Abbot John Klassen also
were aware of Bauman's history.

Jelinek, according to the statement, previously approved a request of the retreat's board to have Bauman lead
retreats at the center, which has a capacity of 24 people.

But his visits are subject to the terms of his probation and an agreement with the center's board, which also
requires him to stay with his brother and not on campus.

"On each visit, Mr. Bauman has registered with local law enforcement officials. His workshops have been
only for adults," according to the diocese statement.

Minnesota law requires that out-of-state registered sex offenders check in, but only if they plan to spend 14
days or more in the state. Because Bauman is not classified as a Level 3 offender, those most likely to
re-offend, Stearns County sheriff's officials said they could not discuss it. Texas considers Bauman at low
risk of re-offending.

State Survivors Network officials said they only recently learned Bauman was returning and wanted to warn
those who might attend the retreat without knowing his history.

The retreat brochure and the retreat center's Web site make no mention of Bauman being a convicted sex
offender, Schwiderski said.

Bauman was profiled on the front page of the Dallas Morning News in 1999 when he agreed to a plea bargain
because the boy's family did not want the child to face his abuser in court.

He is profiled also on the Texas Department of Public Safety's sex offender Web site.

"We have a convicted sex offender coming into Minnesota," Schwiderski said. "We don't know who he may
come in contact with while he is here."

"It is our responsibility to protect the vulnerable," said retreat center president Hansen, a University of
Minnesota nursing professor. "We have acted respectfully and responsibly."
Kevin Harter can be reached at kharter@pioneerpress.com or 651-228-2149.

Statement of the Episcopal Diocese of Minnesota
Regarding Lynn Bauman Workshop at the House of Prayer, Collegeville
February 6, 2007
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Episcopal Bishop of Minneapolis, as well as the Abbot of St. John's
Abbey, where the House of Prayer is located, are aware of the
background of Lynn Bauman. Bauman has been a guest lecturer at the
House of Prayer for over a decade.

Following his offence, in extending an invitation to continue a series of
successful workshops, the Board of Directors of the House of Prayer
sought permission from the Bishop of Minnesota to return to the House
of Prayer. Permission was granted subject to the restrictions of
Bauman's probation.

On each visit Bauman has registered with the local law enforcement
officials. His workshops have been for adults only. No children have been
involved in the workshops or on the House of Prayer campus during the
workshops.

The Episcopal Diocese of Minnesota, along with all other congregations
of the Episcopal Church, adheres to a strict and preventative policy
regarding sexual misconduct regarding children and adults. All church
employees - lay or clergy - and volunteers who work with children are
required to take periodically updated "Safe Church" training.

St. Cloud Times | WWW.SCTIMES.COM
Group objects to sex offender at retreat
The Associated Press -- February 8, 2007

COLLEGEVILLE � A victims� rights group is criticizing an Episcopal
retreat center in Collegeville for inviting a registered sex offender to
lead a retreat this weekend.

Lynn Bauman, 64, admitted to molesting an 8-year-old boy on a camping
trip in 1996 and was sentenced to 10 years of probation, according to the
Texas Department of Corrections. He said Tuesday night that he
admitted to wrongdoing and has not reoffended, and that it is �not
germane� to his work now.

The retreat set for today through Sunday, sponsored by the Episcopal
House of Prayer, is for adults.

Bauman was scheduled to lead the $310-per-person �Wisdom School
Introduction� retreat, which focuses on fact and fiction about Mary
Magdalene and related topics.

The center can accommodate 24 people per retreat.

The center, which is associated with the Episcopal Diocese of Minnesota,
is built on land leased from St. John�s Abbey, according to diocese
spokesman Joe Bjordal and abbey spokesman the Rev. William
Skudlarek.

�Here we have a convicted sex offender coming into Minnesota under the
guise of religion, and everyone who attends could be in harm�s way,� said
Bob Schwiderski of the Minnesota chapter of Survivors Network of
Those Abused by Priests. �And it�s not the first time he�s been here. We
don�t know who might come into contact with him while he�s here.�

Bauman, a former Episcopalian priest and the brother of Episcopal House
of Prayer director Ward Bauman, is profiled on the Texas Department of
Public Safety�s sex-offender registration program Web site.
� 2007, St. Cloud Times, all rights reserved

St. Cloud Times | WWW.SCTIMES.COM Latest news:
Group objects to convicted sex offender�s role
at retreat
Associated Press -- February 7, 2007

COLLEGEVILLE � A victims� rights group is criticizing an Episcopal
retreat center here for inviting a registered sex offender to lead a retreat
this weekend.

Lynn Bauman, 64, admitted to molesting an 8-year-old boy on a camping
trip in 1996 and was sentenced to 10 years� probation, according to the
Texas Department of Corrections. He said Tuesday night that he
admitted to wrongdoing and has not reoffended, and that it is �not
germane� to his work now.

The retreat set for Thursday through Sunday, sponsored by the Episcopal
House of Prayer, is for adults. Bauman was scheduled to lead the
$310-per-person �Wisdom School Introduction� retreat, which focuses
on fact and fiction about Mary Magdalene and related topics. The center
can accommodate 24 people per retreat.

The center, which is associated with the Episcopal Diocese of Minnesota,
is built on land leased from St. John�s Abbey, according to diocese
spokesman Joe Bjordal and abbey spokesman the Rev. William
Skudlarek.

�Here we have a convicted sex offender coming into Minnesota under the
guise of religion, and everyone who attends could be in harm�s way,� said
Bob Schwiderski of the Minnesota chapter of Survivors Network of
Those Abused by Priests. �And it�s not the first time he�s been here. We
don�t know who might come into contact with him while he�s here.�

Bauman, a former Episcopalian priest and the brother of Episcopal House
of Prayer director Ward Bauman, is profiled on the Texas Department of
Public Safety�s sex-offender registration program Web site.

A front-page Dallas Morning News story dated Aug. 11, 1999, said a plea
bargain was struck over the 1996 camping-trip incident because the
boy�s family did not want the boy subjected to a trial.

Reached at his Texas home Tuesday, Lynn Bauman, who runs a
spiritual-education organization called Praxis, called the incident �very
old news.� He said he has followed his probation to the letter.

�If they thought I was dangerous, the authorities would hardly let me
travel out of state,� Lynn Bauman said. �I�m not a predator, and it�s
unjust and unfair of people to suggest that I am. The mistake I made,
which I have admitted, is simply not germane to my work. And there were
some things said back then that were not true, yet I have no recourse to
defend myself.�

Ward Bauman, of Cold Spring, said his brother has led retreats at the
House of Prayer well before he became its director four years ago.

�Lynn has paid and suffered for this,� Ward Bauman said. �But still, the
SNAP people follow him around. What do they want? They don�t look at
whether a person is safe now or not. Should a man�s life be destroyed
over one incident?�

In a statement, the Episcopal Diocese of Minnesota said Lynn Bauman
has been �a well-received lecturer at the House of Prayer for over a
decade� and that Episcopal Bishop James Jelinek and St. John�s Abbot
John Klassen knew of his past.

Jelinek granted a request by the House of Prayer�s board to employ
Bauman �subject to the restrictions of (his) probation,� the statement
said. �On each visit, Mr. Bauman has registered with local law
enforcement officials. His workshops have been for adults only.�
� 2007, St. Cloud Times, all rights reserved

Op Ed
Playing fast and loose with the truth and our kids

Saint John�s Abbey in Collegeville was exposed this week for allowing a
registered sex offender to lead retreats at the Episcopal House of Prayer,
which is on abbey grounds and run under the auspices of the Minnesota
Episcopal Diocese.

Lynn Bauman, who runs a rural retreat center in Texas, admitted to
molesting an 8-year-old boy on a campus trip in 1996 and was sentenced
to 10 years probation. He also was defrocked as an Episcopal priest.

But he�s continued to hold himself out as a spiritual authority, helped
along by the abbey and the diocese. His brother Ward Bauman, serves as
director of the House of Prayer in Collegeville, where Lynn was to lead a
retreat this week and several more later this year.

Ward Bauman said his brother had suffered and paid for his crime.
Lynn Bauman called himself reformed and criticized abuse survivors for
their so-called lack of mercy. Yet, the Bauman brothers kept the sexual
offense a secret from the public, of course with the blessing of the abbey
and the diocese.

Nowhere on the House of Prayer Web site were would-be retreat goers
told that their �spiritual� weekend would be guided by a child molester.
The deceit is outrageous and shows how the abbey is willing to play
Russian roulette with children.

Near the House of Prayer are residences where children live and a
parish where children worship. And then there�s the university campus,
which in the summer is filled with boys at programs.

Monk perpetrators circulate around campus, come and go at will, though
the abbey�s �restrictions� leads the public to believe otherwise. Lynn
Bauman leads retreats in the summer and in the fall as well.

Mercy and forgiveness for child molesters doesn�t mean holding them
out as spiritual leaders again. That�s called irresponsibility.

Many predatory priests continue to make a living just as Lynn Bauman,
by leading retreats, publishing spiritual books and holding themselves
out as spiritual authorities. If people wanted such guidance, then a book
titled The Spiritual Wisdom of Child Molesters would be atop the
bestseller�s list. No such book exists for a reason.

Every time the abbey gets exposed for being a predator�s den, Abbot John
Klassen speaks tough and trots out the monks� lame sexual abuse review
board and policies. It�s a shame of a sham.

-- Bob Schwiderski of Wayzata MN and David Clohessy of St. Louis MO
are leaders of a support group called SNAP, the Survivors Network of
those Abused by Priests. They can be reache through the organization's
website, SNAPnetwork.org

Letter: Abuse survivor: Bauman helped in my recovery
By Dianne Pizey, Minneapolis --- Feb. 25, 2007
I would like to comment on the opinions expressed about Lynn Bauman
and the Episcopal House of Prayer. I am a survivor of childhood sexual
abuse. I am also a member of the Contemplative Body of the House of
Prayer, and a frequent attendee at House of Prayer retreats.

During the past two years, I have attended five retreats led by Lynn
Bauman. Through the teaching and spiritual guidance of Lynn and Ward
Bauman, and others at the House of Prayer, I have come to a place of deep
healing from my childhood trauma.

Although I had spent more than 20 years in therapy, I was never really
free of the fear and anger. Now I can honestly say that I am free, and I am
eternally grateful to God and to the wise teachers who have helped me to
open my heart to God's healing presence.

Lynn Bauman is one of those wise teachers, and he is like family to me. I
was shaken when I first read the stories about Lynn, but I know who Lynn
is, so my opinion of him was not shaken. And I have learned that even in
Texas, he was never considered at risk of re-offending, and that he has
followed the requirements of his probation to the letter.

I have deep compassion for anyone who was sexually abused as I was, but
Lynn Bauman is not our abuser. He is my friend.

Bob Schwiderski Minnesota SNAP director Wayzata
Published: February 28. 2007 12:30AM

New reports, opinions and responses to opinions about convicted sex
offender and defrocked Episcopal priest Lynn Bauman have been
published in the St. Cloud Times the past couple of weeks. It is now time
for corrective actions and partnerships.

For the first time, a top church official in Minnesota has openly talked to
me � a simple representative of thousands of clergy sexual-abuse
survivors � about recovery from and prevention of sexual abuse of
children.

I have been searching for such a discussion since 1988. I applaud
William Skudlarek, OSB, St. John's Abbey, for opening the door,
extending a hand of welcome and offering an invitation to continue
discussions for protecting our children from sexual abuse.

Those in our society desiring super vigilance and aggressive actions to
greatly reduce the infection of our primary social sickness � sexual
abuse of children � look forward to a partnership with St. John's Abbey
in such an arena.

Let's continue our discussions by taking a joint position on convicted
Texas sex offender Lynn Bauman.

The abbey and my organization will just say "no" to the Episcopal Diocese
of Minnesota and the Episcopal House of Prayer when they seek an
invitation allowing the defrocked priest to sneak into our neighborhood.

Dallas Episcopal Bishop James Stanton removed Bauman from ministry
for a reason. If the top officials of the Episcopal Diocese of Minnesota and
the board of directors of the Episcopal House of Prayer will not listen to
the Dallas bishop because they are more interested in fundraisers,
together we can still be vigilant about the safety of our children and just
say "No, not in Minnesota."

Letter: Catholic officials should look inward
By David Schauer, Marshfield, Wis.
Published: March 01. 2007 12:30AM

A former Episcopal minister from Texas visits the grounds of St. John's
Abbey.

He's been convicted of molesting a boy. He's been defrocked by his own
church officials. He's on the sex offender's registry.

Still, he's allowed to lead spiritual retreats in Collegeville.

When all of this surfaces, St. John's Abbey says it "has no jurisdiction"
in the matter.

Let me get this straight.

Catholic officials don't control the penal system in any state. Yet, when
executions are scheduled, Catholic officials denounce them.

Catholic officials don't control the courts in this country. Yet, when
courts rule that abortion is legal, Catholic officials denounce them.

Catholic officials don't control our military. Yet, when generals fight
wars, Catholic officials denounce them.

Yet when it's injustice and recklessness and violence close to home, on
their own property or in their own institutions, Catholic officials can't
bring themselves to denounce secretive child molesters in their midst.

They can't even disclose that there are molesters in their midst.

And they willingly accept child molesting clerics from other
denominations into their midst.

In all of this, they claim "no jurisdiction."

This recent incident sadly shows that almost nothing has changed
regarding child sex abuse at St. John's.