John M. LeVoir
Encyclopedia
John Marvin LeVoir is an American prelate
of the Roman Catholic Church
. He currently serves as the fourth Bishop in the diocese of New Ulm
.
. He has two brothers, Frederick and Paul, and a sister, Mary Ellen. He studied at the University of St. Thomas
, from where he obtained a Bachelor of Science
degree in chemistry
in 1968, and at the University of Minnesota
, earning a Bachelor of Science degree in accounting
in 1971.
From 1971 to 1976, he worked as a Certified Public Accountant
for various firms and also taught accounting at his alma mater
of the University of Minnesota, from where he also received a Bachelor of Arts
degree in history
in 1974. In his late twenties, LeVoir decided to pursue an ecclesiastical career. He then entered the archdiocesan seminary
, earning a Master of Theology
in 1981.
He was ordained
to the priesthood
by Archbishop John Roach on May 30, 1981, and served as associate pastor
of St. Charles Borromeo parish
in St. Anthony
until 1992. LeVoir was made pastor of Holy Trinity parish in South St. Paul
in 1992, and later assumed the additional role of pastor of St. Augustine parish from 2000. He became pastor of both St. Michael Church and St. Mary Church in Stillwater
in 2004. He co-authored Covenant of Love: John Paul II on Sexuality, Marriage, and Family in the Modern World and Faith for Today as well.
On July 14, 2008, LeVoir was appointed the fourth bishop of New Ulm by Pope Benedict XVI
. His appointment to the New Ulm diocese
ended a fifteen month-long vacancy created by the naming of Bishop John Nienstedt
as Coadjutor Archbishop
of St. Paul and Minneapolis
in April 2007.
LeVoir received his episcopal consecration
the following September 15 from Archbishop John Nienstedt
, with Bishops Frederick Campbell
and Peter Christensen
serving as co-consecrators
.
Prelate
A prelate is a high-ranking member of the clergy who is an ordinary or who ranks in precedence with ordinaries. The word derives from the Latin prælatus, the past participle of præferre, which means "carry before", "be set above or over" or "prefer"; hence, a prelate is one set over others.-Related...
of the Roman Catholic Church
Roman Catholic Church
The Catholic Church, also known as the Roman Catholic Church, is the world's largest Christian church, with over a billion members. Led by the Pope, it defines its mission as spreading the gospel of Jesus Christ, administering the sacraments and exercising charity...
. He currently serves as the fourth Bishop in the diocese of New Ulm
Roman Catholic Diocese of New Ulm
The Roman Catholic Diocese of New Ulm is a Roman Catholic diocese in Minnesota. It was founded on November 18, 1957, by Pope Pius XII. On July 14, 2008, John M. LeVoir was appointed as Bishop of New Ulm.The past bishops of the diocese are:...
.
Biography
John LeVoir was born to Marvin and Mary (b. 1915) LeVoir in Minneapolis, MinnesotaMinneapolis, Minnesota
Minneapolis , nicknamed "City of Lakes" and the "Mill City," is the county seat of Hennepin County, the largest city in the U.S. state of Minnesota, and the 48th largest in the United States...
. He has two brothers, Frederick and Paul, and a sister, Mary Ellen. He studied at the University of St. Thomas
University of St. Thomas (Minnesota)
The University of St. Thomas is a private, Catholic, liberal arts, and archdiocesan university located in St. Paul and Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States...
, from where he obtained a Bachelor of Science
Bachelor of Science
A Bachelor of Science is an undergraduate academic degree awarded for completed courses that generally last three to five years .-Australia:In Australia, the BSc is a 3 year degree, offered from 1st year on...
degree in chemistry
Chemistry
Chemistry is the science of matter, especially its chemical reactions, but also its composition, structure and properties. Chemistry is concerned with atoms and their interactions with other atoms, and particularly with the properties of chemical bonds....
in 1968, and at the University of Minnesota
University of Minnesota
The University of Minnesota, Twin Cities is a public research university located in Minneapolis and St. Paul, Minnesota, United States. It is the oldest and largest part of the University of Minnesota system and has the fourth-largest main campus student body in the United States, with 52,557...
, earning a Bachelor of Science degree in accounting
Accountancy
Accountancy is the process of communicating financial information about a business entity to users such as shareholders and managers. The communication is generally in the form of financial statements that show in money terms the economic resources under the control of management; the art lies in...
in 1971.
From 1971 to 1976, he worked as a Certified Public Accountant
Certified Public Accountant
Certified Public Accountant is the statutory title of qualified accountants in the United States who have passed the Uniform Certified Public Accountant Examination and have met additional state education and experience requirements for certification as a CPA...
for various firms and also taught accounting at his alma mater
Alma mater
Alma mater , pronounced ), was used in ancient Rome as a title for various mother goddesses, especially Ceres or Cybele, and in Christianity for the Virgin Mary.-General term:...
of the University of Minnesota, from where he also received a Bachelor of Arts
Bachelor of Arts
A Bachelor of Arts , from the Latin artium baccalaureus, is a bachelor's degree awarded for an undergraduate course or program in either the liberal arts, the sciences, or both...
degree in history
History
History is the discovery, collection, organization, and presentation of information about past events. History can also mean the period of time after writing was invented. Scholars who write about history are called historians...
in 1974. In his late twenties, LeVoir decided to pursue an ecclesiastical career. He then entered the archdiocesan seminary
Seminary
A seminary, theological college, or divinity school is an institution of secondary or post-secondary education for educating students in theology, generally to prepare them for ordination as clergy or for other ministry...
, earning a Master of Theology
Master of Theology
A Master of Theology is an advanced theological research degree offered by universities, divinity schools, and seminaries.-North America:In North America, the Master of Theology is considered by the Association of Theological Schools to be the minimum educational credential for teaching...
in 1981.
He was ordained
Holy Orders
The term Holy Orders is used by many Christian churches to refer to ordination or to those individuals ordained for a special role or ministry....
to the priesthood
Priesthood (Catholic Church)
The ministerial orders of the Catholic Church include the orders of bishops, deacons and presbyters, which in Latin is sacerdos. The ordained priesthood and common priesthood are different in function and essence....
by Archbishop John Roach on May 30, 1981, and served as associate pastor
Curate
A curate is a person who is invested with the care or cure of souls of a parish. In this sense "curate" correctly means a parish priest but in English-speaking countries a curate is an assistant to the parish priest...
of St. Charles Borromeo parish
Parish (Catholic Church)
In the Roman Catholic Church, a parish is the lowest ecclesiastical geographical subdivision: from ecclesiastical province to diocese to deanery to parish.-Requirements:A parish needs two things under common law to become a parish...
in St. Anthony
St. Anthony, Minnesota
St. Anthony is the name of more than one place in the U.S. state of Minnesota:*St. Anthony, Stearns County, Minnesota*St. Anthony, Hennepin County, Minnesota-See also:*Saint Anthony Park , a neighborhood in Saint Paul, Minnesota...
until 1992. LeVoir was made pastor of Holy Trinity parish in South St. Paul
South St. Paul, Minnesota
South St. Paul is a city in Dakota County, Minnesota, immediately south and southeast of the city of Saint Paul, Minnesota. It is also southeast of West St. Paul, Minnesota. The population was 20,160 at the 2010 census. It is notable as one of the historic major meat packing cities in the United...
in 1992, and later assumed the additional role of pastor of St. Augustine parish from 2000. He became pastor of both St. Michael Church and St. Mary Church in Stillwater
Stillwater, Minnesota
As of the census of 2000, there were 15,143 people, 5,797 households, and 4,115 families residing in the city. The population density was 2,340.0 people per square mile . There were 5,926 housing units at an average density of 915.7 per square mile...
in 2004. He co-authored Covenant of Love: John Paul II on Sexuality, Marriage, and Family in the Modern World and Faith for Today as well.
On July 14, 2008, LeVoir was appointed the fourth bishop of New Ulm by Pope Benedict XVI
Pope Benedict XVI
Benedict XVI is the 265th and current Pope, by virtue of his office of Bishop of Rome, the Sovereign of the Vatican City State and the leader of the Catholic Church as well as the other 22 sui iuris Eastern Catholic Churches in full communion with the Holy See...
. His appointment to the New Ulm diocese
Roman Catholic Diocese of New Ulm
The Roman Catholic Diocese of New Ulm is a Roman Catholic diocese in Minnesota. It was founded on November 18, 1957, by Pope Pius XII. On July 14, 2008, John M. LeVoir was appointed as Bishop of New Ulm.The past bishops of the diocese are:...
ended a fifteen month-long vacancy created by the naming of Bishop John Nienstedt
John Clayton Nienstedt
John Clayton Nienstedt is an American prelate of the Roman Catholic Church. He is the eighth and current Archbishop of St. Paul and Minneapolis, having previously served as Bishop of New Ulm from 2001 to 2007.-Early life and education:...
as Coadjutor Archbishop
Coadjutor bishop
A coadjutor bishop is a bishop in the Roman Catholic or Anglican churches who is designated to assist the diocesan bishop in the administration of the diocese, almost as co-bishop of the diocese...
of St. Paul and Minneapolis
Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis
The Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis is an ecclesiastical territory or diocese of the Catholic Church in the United States. It is led by the prelature of an archbishop which administers the archdiocese from the cities of Saint Paul and Minneapolis...
in April 2007.
LeVoir received his episcopal consecration
Bishop (Catholic Church)
In the Catholic Church, a bishop is an ordained minister who holds the fullness of the sacrament of Holy Orders and is responsible for teaching the Catholic faith and ruling the Church....
the following September 15 from Archbishop John Nienstedt
John Clayton Nienstedt
John Clayton Nienstedt is an American prelate of the Roman Catholic Church. He is the eighth and current Archbishop of St. Paul and Minneapolis, having previously served as Bishop of New Ulm from 2001 to 2007.-Early life and education:...
, with Bishops Frederick Campbell
Frederick F. Campbell
Frederick Francis Campbell is an American prelate of the Roman Catholic Church. He is the eleventh and current Bishop of Columbus.-Early life and education:...
and Peter Christensen
Peter F. Christensen
Peter Forsyth Christensen is an American prelate of the Roman Catholic Church who serves as Bishop of Superior.Born in Altadena, California, he was the fourth of eight children born to Robert and Ann Christensen. The family later moved to Palos Verdes, and in 1964 Robert and Ann obtained a divorce...
serving as co-consecrators
Consecrator
Consecrator is a term used in the Roman Catholic Church to designate a bishop who ordains a priest to the episcopal state. The term is often used in Eastern Rite Churches and in Anglican communities. The term "Principal Consecrator" is used to designate the primary bishop who ordains a new bishop...
.