Due to health reasons, Bishop John LeVoir of New Ulm resigned Aug. 6 from a role he has held in that diocese since 2008. Pope Francis accepted the resignation of the 74-year-old bishop, a Twin Cities native, who was approaching the typical retirement age of 75.
According to a statement from the New Ulm diocese, Bishop LeVoir has been undergoing physical and psychological assessment at Sacred Heart Mercy Health Care Center in Alma, Michigan, since early July, which prompted his resignation. He will remain there until early September as he undertakes a therapy plan.
“Although these last years have been very challenging for the diocese and the life of the Church, it has been a privilege to have served the faithful of the Diocese of New Ulm,” he said in the statement. “As bishop, it has not only been a great honor, but an enriching experience as I have come to know many people throughout this local Church. I have been impressed by their love for Jesus Christ, their willingness to share their Catholic faith, and their concern for the less fortunate.”
A successor has not been appointed, and a diocesan administrator will be elected by the College of Consulters, comprised of active priests in the diocese at least 35 years old.
Bishop LeVoir, the fourth bishop of the New Ulm diocese, was ordained a priest for the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis in 1981. He served at St. Charles Borromeo in St. Anthony, Holy Trinity and St. Augustine in South St. Paul, and St. Michael and St. Mary in Stillwater.
Before entering the seminary, Bishop LeVoir, who is a certified public accountant, worked for several years as a public accountant and as an instructor of accounting at the University of Minnesota in Minneapolis. As a bishop, he has served on the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops’ Audit Subcommittee as chairman, 2014-2019, and currently as a member.
In early March 2017, the New Ulm Diocese filed for reorganization under Chapter 11 of the U.S. Bankruptcy Code to settle abuse cases filed against the diocese.
Three years later, on March 10 of this year, a U.S. bankruptcy judge gave final approval to a $34 million settlement agreement between 93 victim-survivors of clergy sexual abuse and the Diocese of New Ulm, as well as parishes within the diocese.
Claimants voted unanimously to approve the settlement. The judge’s final approval cleared the way for the 93 clergy abuse-survivors to begin receiving compensation under the settlement. The diocese also has committed to 17 child protection protocols.
Among his writings, Bishop LeVoir is co-author of two books, “Covenant of Love: Pope John Paul II on Sexuality, Marriage and Family in the Modern World” and “Faith for Today: Pope John Paul II’s Catechetical Teachings.” He also is author of the “Image of God” catechetical series.
He has been a member of the episcopal board of advisers for the canonization cause of Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen since 2009. He also has served on the USCCB’s Committee on the Protection of Children and Young People, 2010-2015, and on the USCCB’s Subcommittee for the Promotion and Defense of Marriage, 2011-2016.
Catholic News Service contributed to this report
