Regarding Father Thomas Acklin
[Redacted] has consistently stated that Father Acklin’s touches were sexual in nature, and [redacted] and I perceive his actions as domineering and controlling, with sexual overtures. – Parishioner, August 27, 2010
“As some as you know, complaints were filed some months ago by members of the Latin Mass Community, alleging that former chaplain, Father Thomas Acklin, OSB, engaged in inappropriate touching of several female members.” – Bishop Larry Silva (Diocese of Honolulu) August 27, 2010
Regarding Father Thomas Acklin
In approximately 2006, Father Thomas Acklin, OSB, a member of Saint Vincent Archabbey in Latrobe, Pennsylvania (USA) was scheduled to spend time at St. Luke’s Institute in Silver Spring, Maryland (USA). St. Luke’s Institute is a well known treatment facility for religious personnel with dealing with sexual and/or substance issues. Father Acklin reportedly spent only a few days at St. Luke’s before fleeing to Hawaii to be near his brother.
Upon his return from Hawaii, Father Acklin reportedly spent a few weeks in a Passionist Monastery near Somerset, PA, before going to Newark Abbey in New Jersey. For a time, Father Acklin was reportedly blocked by Archabbot Douglas Nowicki from returning to Saint Vincent Archabbey. Father Acklin only returned under restricted faculties but it was unclear what justified these restrictions.
At one time, Father Acklin was Saint Vincent Archabbey’s preferred psychiatrist for counseling seminarians and directees. It is unclear whether that is still the case. According to the Hawaii Psychological Association, [ View ] Thomas Patrick Acklin, Ph.D. is certified by the National Association for the Advancement of Psychoanalysis and specializes in Psychoanalysis; Relationship Problems; Religious/Spiritual Issues; Sexual Orientation; Depression; Anxiety; Attachment Disorders; Grief; Incest; Life Transitions; Self-esteem/Self-concept; Separation.
For the last several months, Father Acklin has been the temporary priest at St. Nicholas Roman Catholic Church [ Web ] in Nicktown, PA 15762. St. Nicholas Roman Catholic Church is a parish in the Diocese of Altoona and Johnstown [ Web ]. According to a staff member at the church, Father Acklin will hear confessions at 5pm this Saturday and say all masses this weekend. Masses are at 6pm on Saturday and 6, 8 and 10:30am on Sunday.
Hawaii/Acklin Documents:
March 31, 2010 Parishioner Meeting Regarding Father Thomas Acklin (PDF – 5.2Mb)
April 5, 2010 Parishioner Update Regarding Father Thomas Acklin (PDF – 2.2Mb)
July 14, 2010 Bishop Silva’s Letter Regarding Father Thomas Acklin (PDF – 3.5Mb)
August 8, 2010 Father Huang’s “Touch” Homily (PDF – 307Kb)
August 27, 2010 Parishioner Letter to Bishop Silva (PDF – 5.3Mb)
November 11, 2011 Parishioner Letter to Bishop Silva (PDF – 3.8Mb)
According to a 2006 Interview [ View ]:
Fr. Thomas Acklin, O.S.B., first professed vows in 1976 at St. Vincent Archabbey in Latrobe, Pennsylvania. He was ordained a priest in 1980 and studied theology and psychology of religion at the Catholic University of Louvain in Belgium, where he earned an S.T.D. (Doctor of Sacred Theology). He undertook psychoanalytic training at the Belgian School of Psychoanalysis and graduated from the Pittsburgh Psychoanalytic Institute. Fr. Acklin then served as master of junior-professed monks for four years and as president-rector of St. Vincent Seminary for twelve years.
He is a member of the Fellowship of Catholic Scholars, the Pittsburgh Psychoanalytic Society and Foundation, the American Psychoanalytic Association, and the International Psychoanalytic Association. He is certified in the psychoanalysis of adults by the International Board of Accreditation and Certification and the National Association for the Advancement of Psychoanalysis.
Currently, Fr. Acklin is professor of theology and psychology at St. Vincent College and St. Vincent Seminary, where he has taught since 1976, and is a faculty member of the Pittsburgh Psychoanalytic Institute and Foundation.
