Robert Blumeyer: Substantiated Claims of Sexual Abuse of a Minor

Robert Blumeyer

 

On May 19, 2014, the priest file of Father Robert Blumeyer was publicly released. Blumeyer is one of 17 credibly accused clerics from St. John’s Abbey.

Father Robert Blumeyer, born June 11, 1922, was ordained on March 19, 1956 and worked in parishes located in Hastings, St. Cloud, Wayzata, Avon, and Farming, Minnesota, as well as in Bronx, New York until his death in 1983.

In 2006, a 50-year-old victim of Father Blumeyer came forward and reported that he had been abused by the priest for nearly a decade beginning in 1969 when he was just 13. In July 2006, Abbot John Klassen, of St. John’s Abbey, told the public two more victims had come forward with reports of sexual abuse by Father Blumeyer and two other monks. Klassen said there was enough evidence to convince him the sexual misconduct occurred and that he delayed the release of the information “longer than he should have.”

Father Robert Blumeyer worked in various parishes throughout Minnesota and is included on three official lists of clergy members who have been credibly accused of child sexual abuse.

According to the Saint John’s Abbey list (released 12/19/2013), the Diocese of St. Cloud list (released 1/03/2014), and the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis list (released 2/17/2014), Father Robert Blumeyer was assigned to the following parishes:

· 1956-65 Associate Pastor, St. Boniface, Hastings, MN

· 1966-67 Associate Pastor, St. Augustine, St. Cloud, MN

· 1968-69 Associate Pastor, St. Benedict, Bronx, NY

· 1969-73 St. Bartholomew, Wayzata, MN

· 1973-78 St. Boniface, Hastings, MN

· 1978-82 St. Benedict, Avon, MN

· 1982-83 Pastor, St. Catherine, Farming, MN

Ministerial Status: Deceased in 1983.