Statement of the Diocese of Alexandria regarding Brother Ambrose Fryer, O.S.B. (John Thomas Fryer)

On February 23, 2024, Abbot Elijah Owens, O.S.B. of Subiaco Abbey in Arkansas issued a statement which is posted on the Abbey’s website at the following link:

https://www.countrymonks.org/ambrose-fryer

This statement summarizes the issue well.  Our first involvement with this matter began on Thursday, February 15, 2024, when the abbot contacted the Diocese of Alexandria indicating that he needed to communicate information on a serious matter.  Legal counsel for the Abbey and for the Diocese discussed the necessary civil and canonical restrictions applicable to the matter (as mentioned in the Subiaco statement) and subject to these restrictions, the Diocese received some limited information on Sunday, February 18, 2024, regarding Brother Ambrose Fryer (John Thomas Fryer), O.S.B., a monk of Subiaco Abbey, a former seminarian of the Diocese and a former teacher at both Holy Savior Menard Central High School and the former St. Rita School.  The information received was both alarming and completely new to the Diocese.  On Monday, February 19, 2024, based on the information shared, the Diocese contacted both the Department of Children and Family Services of the State of Louisiana and the Alexandria Police Department.  The APD launched an investigation and both employees and former employees of the Diocese have fully cooperated with the APD investigation.  The Diocese will continue full cooperation with this investigation and any other investigation by law enforcement or other governmental agency.

As the Subiaco statement indicates, we encourage anyone who was harmed in any way by John Thomas Fryer to contact Detective Chad Jeansonne of the Alexandria Police Department at 318-441-6542.  After doing so, we invite them to contact the Victim Assistance Coordinator for the Diocese of Alexandria (Dr. Lee Kneipp, Clinical Psychologist) at 318-542-9805.

The Diocese of Alexandria encourages anyone who has been a victim of abuse by clergy, religious, lay church personnel or volunteer of the diocese and has not yet reported it to do so.  Please call law enforcement first, including the LA Child Abuse Hotline at 855-4LA-KIDS (855-452-5437).  Individuals are also encouraged to contact Dr. Kneipp, the Victim Assistance Coordinator for the Diocese of Alexandria at 318-542-9805.