Thornburg acknowledged misconduct

Officials place chaplain on leave

By Rebecca Duran And Jessica Van Sack

Although earlier reports suggested former Dean Robert Watts Thornburg’s leave of absence resulted from declining health, Boston University yesterday released a statement affirming Thornburg’s leave was prompted by an admission of inappropriate conduct.

A complaint has been lodged with the United Methodist Church against the 73-year-old former Dean of Marsh Chapel and he has relinquished his credentials as a member of the clergy, according to New England Methodist Bishop Susan Hassinger. “I can acknowledge that there has been a complaint,” Hassinger said yesterday afternoon, adding that it had been lodged “not a long time ago …”

The bishop, also a member of the Boston University Board of Trustees, could not comment on the nature of the complaint or the identity of the complainant, citing confidentiality as dictated by church rules.

“It’s a very painful situation. Our prayers are with all parties involved,” said Hassinger from her office in Lawrence.

In the March 1 issue of The Daily Free Press, Thornburg said he was “not well,” adding his leave came so suddenly because until that week he had maintained hope his condition would improve. But when it didn’t he decided to listen to his body and submit his leave, he said.

At that time Thornburg denied he had been asked to resign by the administration.

Last Wednesday, March 21, BU President Jon Westling said “there is nothing out of the ordinary” or “not believable” about a man resigning who is in his 70s and strapped with health problems.

“He has indicated to me that he intends to resign at the end of this year,” Westling said last week. “The appropriate response here would be to take note of the generations of achievements of this man.

“I’d like to celebrate his contributions to this University.”

According to a statement released by the University last night, Thornburg told BU officials of his intention to step down as chaplain of Marsh earlier in the year, following a period of declining health.

“We were working on a transition, but in February, in response to a complaint, Dean Thornburg acknowledged having engaged in inappropriate conduct,” the statement said.

“As a consequence, he was placed on an immediate leave of absence through June 30, 2001, at which time he will retire from Boston University,” the statement continued. “We are saddened by the circumstances that led to the end of his career.”

After repeated attempts to reach the former dean yesterday, his wife was contacted late last night. As her husband slept, she showed support for him and noted his achievements. “Given the circumstances of the complaint – which is well over a year old – rather than hurt others involved, this is the joint decision we made: that his career of over 23 years and work with thousands of students, faculty and administration would clearly speak for itself,” Ann Thornburg said. She added his family and those who know him “support him totally.” “We have total respect for Jon [Westling] and given the transition that was planned, [retirement] was a very logical action to take,” she said, adding that she had dismissed the situation “some time ago.” Rev. Jerome DelPino, the superintendent of the Metropolitan South Boston Methodist Episcopal Church, said Monday, March 25, any complaints filed against the clergy are confidential and would be handled by supervisors at the annual church conference in June.

“I can confirm simply that the matter that you are identifying is one that has been, to the best of my knowledge, initiated through Boston University,” DelPino said. He would not comment further.

“If there are people that feel they have been done wrong, many times they have to feel they can do things in confidence,” said School of Theology Dean Robert Neville on Wednesday, March 21. “I hope I will be able to talk about it some day. I am bound by my conscience not to for now.”

Neville added the last time he talked to Thornburg, during the former dean’s last day on campus, the chaplain showed great concern for finding a replacement to teach his classes.

Another administrator in the School of Theology said he “had deep respect” for Thornburg, adding the 23-year BU veteran was “human.”

“I think he has often gone beyond the call of duty to help people. That part I think is true. I think he’s a compassionate man. That part I think is true also,” said the professor, on Wednesday, March 21.

“I think it also needs to be said, which is true for almost anybody, that there are students and staff that would not see him as a beloved dean. So there’s always been people who saw him otherwise,” he added.

On Sunday, February 25, Thornburg preached his last sermon at Marsh Chapel. Before his departure, he did not indicate to his students that he would be leaving. In addition, he did not deliver the Ash Wednesday sermon he was scheduled to give on February 28.

Thornburg, a Chicago native, was brought to Boston University by former President John Silber in June of 1978, following a nearly four-year search to fill the position. He attended Northwestern University, Union Seminary and Columbia University Graduate School.

The former dean is a national expert on religious cults, and he gained recognition for his activism against the International Church of Christ. In June of 1987, Thornburg removed the church from campus.

Serving as a faculty advisor to many campus groups, the BU veteran is one of the most beloved figures on campus. As a friend to students, Thornburg held barbecues for incoming freshmen in the First Year Student Outreach Program. He also pioneered the weekly lunch lecture series “Food for Thought” for members of the BU community.

He was known for announcing the previous night’s BU basketball scores at his Sunday services. During his tenure, he worked as the NCAA faculty representative and a liaison to athletic directors.

Explaining how he arrived at BU, Thornburg told the Free Press in 1991, “[BU President John] Silber asked if I’d like to be part of the administration and I said, ‘I don’t want to be part of the administration. I want to be chaplain.’ And [Silber] said, ‘Well, suit yourself.'”

Thornburg also told the Free Press preaching was in his blood.

“From my father to my grandfather to my great-grandfather to my twin brother, my whole family is in the clergy. So it was sort of bred into my genes I think.” Thornburg is a father of four and a grandfather of eight. He resides with his wife in the BU Parsonage in Brookline.

“He’s a fabulous human being,” Ann Thornburg said.