Old Apostolic Lutheran Church Faced Abuse Allegations and Questions of Reporting Obligations
Recent reporting has brought to light allegations of sexual abuse within the Old Apostolic Lutheran Church (OALC) and raised questions about the church’s response and legal obligations. The examination centers around the case of a former member, who in December 2024 pleaded guilty to four felony counts of sexual conduct with a victim under the age of 13 and was afterward sentenced to 7 ½ years in prison in march.
According to the reporting, church leaders were aware of the abuse for years, with the knowledge becoming an “open secret” within the congregation. Despite being informed by police of their duty to report, leaders did not contact law enforcement. Instead, the abuser was sent to a therapist specializing in sex offender treatment.
Victims allege they were subjected to meetings led by church leaders where they were instructed to forgive the abuser and “forget” the abuse, with the implication that speaking out would be a sin.In at least one instance, a church leader reportedly allowed the abuser to hug a victim following such a meeting.An internal church document reportedly outlined guidelines for handling abuse, suggesting facilitated discussions between both parties.
Prosecutors reportedly had an opportunity to intervene but pursued a strategy of educating church leaders about their reporting obligations, hoping to encourage cooperation. Though, the reporting indicates that church leaders did not report the data they had about the abuser, despite a Minnesota state law requiring clergy and others to do so. A church leader, Bruckelmyer, reportedly told investigators they encouraged victims to go to the police but believed the obligation for doing so rested with the victims themselves.
A spokesperson for the Woodland Park Old Apostolic Lutheran Church in Duluth, John Hiivala, stated the church “has fully complied with the law in the referenced case, and it’s a matter of legal record.” Kimberly Lowe, a lawyer and crisis manager for the church, suggested that the church’s unpaid preachers may not be legally mandated reporters under Minnesota law, stating the statute’s language is unclear.
The OALC is a conservative Christian revival movement originating with 19th-century settlers from Norway, Finland, and sweden, and is not affiliated with mainstream Lutheran denominations. The church is experiencing rapid growth, notably in areas with large families, and emphasizes a modest and simple lifestyle, abstaining from practices like dancing, listening to music, and watching movies. Forgiveness is considered a central tenet of the faith. Only men hold leadership positions within the church.
As the abuser’s sentencing,two alleged victims have filed lawsuits against him,their church in South Dakota,and the OALC. They are represented by the same lawyer who represented victims in the Jeffrey Epstein case. In a court filing, the OALC denied personal jurisdiction in the lawsuits, expressing sympathy for the alleged victims but asserting the court lacks authority over the organization.The abuser, in a letter from prison, denied the allegations and did not respond to interview requests.
