Father Kirby Blanchard
Father Kirby Blanchard was born in 1968 and ordained in 1953. Father Blanchard’s name was included on the Diocese of Duluth’s list of clerics who have been credibly accused of child sexual abuse.
According to the Diocese of Duluth Father Blanchard worked at the following locations:
- 1953 – 1965: Asst. Pastor, Cathedral of Our Lady of the Rosary, Duluth, MN
- 1965 – 1966: Pastor, Our Lady of Fatima Church, Garrison, MN
- 1965 – 1966: Pastor, St. Joseph’s Church, Deerwood, MN
- 1966 – 1969: Pastor, St. Augustine’s Church, Cohasset, MN
- 1966 – 1969: Pastor, St. Mary’s Church, Deer River, MN
- 1969 – 1971: Pastor, St. Christopher Church, Nisswa, MN
- 1969 – 1971: Pastor, St. Alice Church, Pequot Lakes, MN
- 1969 – 1971: Pastor, Our Lady of Lourdes Church, Pine River, MN
- 1971 – 1976: Pastor, St. Anthony’s Church, Duluth, MN
- 1976 – 1993: Chaplain, St. Joseph’s Hospital, Brainerd, MN
- 1993: Retired
- 1995: Removed from ministry
- 2006: Deceased
Efforts to unseal the secret documents regarding clergy sexual abuse in the Diocese of Duluth began with the first lawsuit filed in June 2013. Since then, survivors have taken numerous actions to make the files public.
In October 2015, a jury verdict was handed down against the Diocese of Duluth in a child sexual abuse case in Ramsey County involving Fr. James Vincent Fitzgerald. On December 7, 2015, the Diocese of Duluth filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection.