Cult-Like Group's Headquarters Closed

KWWL, Iowa/December 16, 2005

There are new details in our investigation into a controversial religious group called Love Holy Trinity Blessed Mission. Many call it a cult because members, including hundreds of Iowans, aren't allowed to have contact with their families. We've been following this story for months. And, now we've followed the story to Chicago where the headquarters of Love Holy Trinity Blessed Mission is now shut down.

"As far as today, today is huge, absolutely huge," says Donna Backstrom of Davenport. She has three family members in the group, including aniece no one has seen in seven months.

A preliminary injunction has shut down the Love Holy Trinity Blessed Mission's communications center on Chicago's northwest side. The group also has agreed to a complete inspection of the building. It's big news for families who have loved ones in the group. Loved ones they can't see or talk with. "while this is huge for us, they will dismiss it as persecution. That's fine. Let them play that game. Let them say what they need to say, but we know the significance of getting access to the inside of that building," Backstrom says.

Roger and Laura Knotts of McGregor haven't seen their 19-year-old daughter, Ashley Fahey, in 16 weeks. Ashley is a member of the group. "I want things to happen faster," Laura Knotts says. Roger, Ashley's stepfather, agrees. "It's something significant to us, that anything that happens that helps educate people to bring this group to light to what it is is another step. And we'll do whatever it takes to continue down that road."

William J. P. Banks is a Chicago alderman and says, "I have no delusions here. I don't think this is going to fade into the sunset, but I do think this is a very important action here today."

The mission's attorney, John Klytta, says, "I have no comment on that right now, other than what I agreed to in court." That's the most we've heard from any representative or leader of the group.

And, speaking of leaders, the mission's leader, Father Len Kruzel, has now been suspended. Francis Cardinal George with the Archdiocese of Chicago says, "It doesn't mean excommunication, it doesn't mean defrocked. It doesn't mean all of those terms you hear about priests. It means he can't perform public ministry."

It's another positive sign for family members, many of whom haven't seen their loved ones in months, or even years.

"And, I do believe we will get them back. I want that on record. That is my goal. It will happen, we will get them back," Donna Backstrom says.

The next court date is January 27th in Chicago. If nothing is settled then, a trial date could be set.

No one from Love Holy Trinity Blessed Mission returned KWWL's calls about this latest development.