Leader of Buchanan Abbey not what he claims, investigation shows

INDEPENDENCE --- Newspapers across the Midwest, including The Courier, published articles in recent weeks about the Buchanan Abbey and its leader, the Most Rev. and Lord Abbot Ryan St. Anne Scott.

He and his new organization, officially known as the Congregatio Ordnis Sancti Benedicti, took over the former Buchanan County home in April. He later moved his llama herd to the property. Scott agreed to pay Buchanan County $125,000 for the property.

But evidence shows Scott is not what he claims to be, neither an ordained Roman Catholic priest nor a Benedictine monk.

Scott is, according to those aware of his long history, a con man pursuing a familiar course that winds through several states. Scott, a convicted felon, has made multiple false claims related to his alleged religious training and job history.

Only the llamas in his care are real.

"Why no one does anything about this guy is dumbfounding, really," said Scott's estranged son, Jonathon Brady of Florence, Ala.

Brady, given up for adoption at age 5, admits being bitter. But he said his real concern is for others who cross Scott's path.

Scott over the years has written rebuttals of many of the claims leveled against him. He asserts the Roman Catholic Church is persecuting him because of his refusal to acknowledge reforms implemented under Vatican II in the 1960s.

A native of Wisconsin, Scott's real name is Randell Dean Stocks, and Roman Catholic officials firmly assert his religious identity developed over many years is bogus.

He has used a number of aliases and at least five Social Security numbers, one assigned to a California woman who died in 1985, according to a report generated by the Vernon County Sheriff's Office in Wisconsin.

Several Roman Catholic dioceses, most recently the Archdiocese of Dubuque in September, have warned congregants Scott has no affiliation with the church.

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