Pax Christi Award to David Haas rescinded

Saint John’s Abbey and Saint John’s University have jointly rescinded the Pax Christi Award given to composer David Haas in 2017 in light of the many allegations of sexual misconduct brought against him recently. Mr. Haas has no official association with Saint John’s and to our knowledge has not directed events on campus or under the Abbey or University’s sponsorship. Nevertheless, we made the determination, based on the information available to us, that Mr. Haas’s conduct is not consistent with the purpose of the Pax Christi Award, which serves to honor those whose lives exemplify Benedictine ideals. The Liturgical Press, a division of Saint John’s Abbey, has suspended licensing of Haas’s music in its publications going forward.