Robert N. Burkholder: Clergy Credibly Accused of Abuse

Robert N. Burkholder

  • 1947: Ordained
  • 1948-1951: St. Augustine Church, Lenox, MI
  • 1952-1955: St. Mary’s, Wayne, MI
  • 1956-1959: Nativity of Our Lord, Detroit, MI
  • 1960-1964: Holy Innocents, Roseville, MI
  • 1965-1966: St. Michael’s, Livonia, MI
  • 1967-1972: St. Hugh Church, Allen Park/Southgate, MI
  • 1973-1975: Presentation – Our Lady of Victory, Detroit, MI
  • 1976-1981: Immaculate Heart of Mary, Detroit, MI
  • 1982-1985: Sick Leave – Location Unknown
  • 1986-2002: Retired – Waianae, HI
  • 2003-2006: Unknown
  • 2006: Deceased

Notes: Fr. Robert N. Burkholder spent the majority of his career as a priest in the Diocese of Detroit. It is believed he worked as a military chaplain in Hawaii at Schofield Barracks in 1982 and held masses at St. Elizabeth in Aiea. He retired in 2002 and remained in Hawaii. At one point, Fr. Burkholder was dubbed, “Michigan’s worst pedophile.” In 1993, he admitted to having sexually abused 23 children dating back to the 1940’s. In the 1960’s one family complained to the Bishop and he offered the family a two-week vacation in exchange for keeping the abuse a secret. Despite this report, Fr. Burkholder was allowed to continue as priest at several other locations for two more decades. In 2002 he was extradited from Hawaii to Michigan where he faced criminal charges for sexually abusing a minor in 1986.