Msgr. William Joseph Leser

Intermountain Catholic

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Msgr. William Joseph Leser

Monsignor William Leser, who served as temporary administrator of St. Jude Maronite Church in 2011, died on October 9, 2022. He was 85. While in the Diocese of Salt Lake City, he also ministered to the Carmelite community and helped in hospital ministry.

A native of Cleveland, Ohio, William Joseph Leser was born in 1937. He studied for the priesthood at Saint John’s Seminary and was ordained on May 1, 1963, for the Archdiocese of Los Angeles, where he served in many parishes.

In the Maronite Eparchy of Our Lady of Lebanon of Los Angeles, Chorbishop Leser served in the Tribunal and as judicial vicar for many years. He was named a monsignor in 1992 and was also a chorbishop of the Maronite Eparchy.

In retirement he continued to assist in several parishes in Los Angeles as well as out of state. Msgr. Leser was a 4th Degree Knight; he was a member of the Knights of Columbus for 61 years, having joined in 1961. He also was as a chaplain for the Knights.

According to his wishes, two services were held: a Maronite service on November 1, 2022, at Our Lady of Mount Lebanon – St. Peter Cathedral (Maronite) in Los Angeles, and a Roman Catholic service on November 7, 2022, at St. Jude the Apostle Church in Westlake Village, California.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Msgr. Leser’s honor to St. John Seminary, 5012 Seminary Rd., Camarillo, CA 93012.