Joliet Former Bishop Joseph Imesch Dies at 84
By Sarah Schulte
The Joliet Diocese has confirmed that former Bishop Joseph Imesch has died at the age of 84. Imesch served as the diocese's bishop for nearly 27 years. He died Tuesday morning. Last year, depositions showed he knew about priest sex abuse in his diocese but moved priests around to different parishes instead of removing them from service. The Michigan native was ordained after seminary school in Rome in 1956. Upon returning to Michigan, he was appointed assistant pastor at St. Charles Parish in Detroit, from 1957-1959 and was secretary to John Cardinal Dearden, Archbishop of Detroit, from 1959-1971. he was appointed pastor of Our Lady of Sorrows parish in Farmington, where he served from 1971-1977. On Aug. 28, 1979, he was installed as the third bishop of the Joliet Diocese. Bishop Imesch retired as the Ordinary for the Diocese on June 27, 2006. The Joliet Diocese paid out more than $4 million to 14 people who say they were abused by priests. The settlement was the culmination of years of litigation either through lawsuits or formal complaints to the Diocese of Joliet. The alleged abuse took place from the 1960s to the '80s. Yet, victims say some of the priests remained active until a couple years ago. "His years of service were marked by great change and population growth which he managed well," a diocese statement reads. "Bishop Imesch led with conviction and compassion and used his many talents generously. As we celebrate the coming of Christ in this season and, at the same time, commend Bishop Imesch to the love and mercy of God, his episcopal motto seems especially appropriate: The Lord Is Near. May he be near the Lord for all eternity."
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