ST. LOUIS • Two years after his messy divorce from St. Louis University, the Rev. Lawrence Biondi has only now truly left St. Louis.

After pushing Jesuit leadership to remain in the area — perhaps with a continued role at SLU — the former longtime university president has been recalled to Chicago, close supporters say.

The relocation follows months of lobbying by Biondi to be granted some role in St. Louis. The process played out as he traveled the world, much of it at the university’s expense.

Now his departure is renewing acrimony on campus.

A group of Biondi’s supporters say he has been unfairly exiled. As a result, at least a few donors and trustees say they are withdrawing financial support from the school.

Private investor Tom Danis said he is one of them. “There will be no future contributions to St. Louis University from me,” Danis said. “Father Biondi gave the university 25 years of valuable service. With the lack of consideration shown to him, I cannot continue to support the university.”