IHM Church Responds to Former Priest's Sexual Misconduct

A Catholic priest known for sexual misconduct who was assigned to Immaculate Heart of Mary (IHM) in Minnetonka for 18 years was sued last week.  

The Rev. Jerome C. Kern was accused in a lawsuit filed Nov. 7 of “sexual battery” of a boy in Edina between 1972 to 1976. 

Kern was transferred to our Our Lady of Grace Church in Edina in 1969, after accusations of sexual abuse arose at his church in St. Paul, according to the Star Tribune.

The man from Edina is one of at least 10 people abused by Kern that Jeff Anderson & Associates knows about, and the firm is preparing three more suits against him, according to the newspaper.

Jerome Kern was assigned to Immaculate Heart of Mary parish from 1976 to 1994. There is one allegation of sexual misconduct involving a minor made against Kern while he was assigned at Immaculate Heart of Mary parish, the church said in a statement placed prominently on their homepage. That minor was Alan Michaud.

Michaud reached a settlement in the 1990s after he sued the archdiocese, according to the Star Tribune. Read the Star Tribune's article from Nov. 8 here.

IHM's Statement Concerning Jerome Kern

In the November 8 issue of the Star Tribune, there was an article in the Twin Cities Metro B section regarding a lawsuit filed November 7 against Jerome Kern alleging sexual abuse of a minor in 1972-1976. The article also mentions other allegations of sexual misconduct brought against Jerome Kern while he served as a priest in various parishes in the Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis.

Jerome Kern was assigned to Immaculate Heart of Mary parish from 1976 to 1994. There is one allegation of sexual misconduct involving a minor made against Kern while he was assigned at Immaculate Heart of Mary parish.

Jerome Kern was removed from active ministry in 2002.

Allegations of sexual abuse by Kern or anyone else should be reported to the police at 612-673-5701.

Allegations of any sexual misconduct by clergy, religious or lay employees or volunteers of parishes or schools should also be reported to the Archdiocesan office for Advocacy and Victim Assistance at 651-291-4497.