This past Sunday, I had a conversation with a victim of sexual abuse perpetrated by Msgr. Jerome Boxleitner. Boxleitner is not a monk from St. John’s but his name appears on this web site. Officials at the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis, including Archbishop John Roach, were provided with information about Boxleitner’s abuse beginning in 1989.
According to TwinCities.com, Msgr. Jerome Boxleitner “died of pneumonia Thursday, March 14. He was 82 and had been living at a New Hope retirement community.”
Since Boxleitner’s death, several people have contacted me regarding Boxleitner. They arrived at this web site because of a post that includes his name. That post [ View ] also includes a PDF with information regarding Boxleitner’s misconduct.
After reviewing the PDF, speaking with its author, and contacting one of Boxleitner’s victims (who confirmed the abuse) I left a voice mail for Archbishop John C. Nienstedt with a request that he review Boxleitner’s personnel file before he performs Boxleitner’s funeral mass on Tuesday.
Around the time the PDF was made public (in 2006), Archbishop Harry Flynn removed Boxleitner from his residence on the grounds of the St. Joseph’s Home for Children. Boxleitner reportedly rented a condo owned by a local businessman. Approximately 18 months later, a female friend of Boxleitner requested that Boxleitner be allowed to move back into the residence. Archbishop Flynn granted the request.
Last year, the Higher Ground homeless shelter was opened. The building was to be called “Boxleitner’s Place” [ View ] but when several people familiar with Boxleitner’s history learned of the to name the building after an offender, the name was changed. A photo shows that Boxleitner was allowed to participate in the ribbon cutting ceremony [ View ] with Archbishop Nienstedt.
At least one of Boxleitner’s victims may have received counseling. Boxleiter received alcohol counseling. However, because Boxleitner’s misconduct was never made public, Boxleitner was able to enjoy a life of public service and ministry with potential victims.
Former Vicar General Father Kevin McDonough, Father Mike O’Connell, and Archbishop John Roach, were also aware of Boxleitner’s misconduct.
If you have information about Msgr. Jerome Boxleitner, please feel free to send a note or give a call.
One such note:
“We have thoughts of Boxleitner bringing children to Spooner Wisconsin. Saint Lawrence Lodge~was owned by Catholic Charites/Saint Josephs Home for children. The word around these parts is that the father didn’t want other people around when he came up on weekends with children.”
Posted March 16, 2013 at 8:54pm (Central)
Updated March 17, 2013 at 4:06pm (Central)
Updated March 18, 2013 @ 7:31pm (Central)
