Priest Sexual Abuse in Michigan

In 2018, the Michigan Attorney General's office launched a deep investigation into priest sexual abuse. Over the past five years, more than 450 priests have been accused by over 800 victims of priest sexual abuse in Michigan. So far, eleven priest members have been convicted. The investigation, which has gathered evidence through a tips line and the seizure of millions of documents from the seven Michigan dioceses, reveals a long and often hidden history of priest sexual abuse in Michigan.

As Michigan residents and lawmakers learned of this tragic history, momentum built around the expansion of survivor's rights. New legislation has brought historic changes, and survivors of childhood sexual abuse by Michigan priest are stepping forward to file claims for decades worth of harm and damages. This page provides comprehensive information on priest sexual abuse in Michigan.

Dynamics of Priest Sexual Abuse

In the United States, it is estimated that 1 in 4 girls and 1 in 6 boys experience sexual abuse by the age of 18. Contrary to popular belief, perpetrators of child sexual abuse are typically people who areknown to the child and family--such as a teacher, religious leader, neighbor, or even a family member. Perpetrators are known to groom children with special treatment or gifts, then take advantage of the child's trust and fear to persuade the child to keep the abuse a secret. Fearing retaliation or punishment, or blaming themselves for the abuse, most minors do not disclose sexual abuse.

A dark yet widespread undercurrent of the Catholic church has come to light in recent years: Many Catholic priests in Michigan preyed upon children and youth in their parish. In addition to the normal pressures that keep children from reporting sexual abuse, Catholic leaders also conspired to cover up scandal. It is no surprise that the vast majority of survivors of priest sexual abuse have never reported the abuse. It can take decades for an adult survivor to confront feelings or memories they may have buried long ago. On average, survivors of Michigan priest sexual abuse don't dislose the experience until they reach the age of 52.

New legislation expands the rights of Michigan clergy sex abuse survivors to report. Even if the abuse took place decades ago, you may now qualify to file a Michigan priest sexual abuse lawsuit.

Statute of Limitations Extended for Michigan Clergy Sexual Abuse

The Michigan legislature recently expanded the Statute of Limitations for reports of sexual abuse. In the past, survivors had to report this type of incident by the time they turned 28. A growing movement around the nation is recognizing that reporting by the age of 28 is unrealistic for most survivors of child sexual abuse. When it comes to Catholic clergy sexual abuse in Michigan, many survivors have remained silent while facing a huge degree of stigma and shame. Extending the Statute of Limitations for reporting sex abuse in Michigan means that survivors can report abuse that happened decades ago.

Priest Sexual Abuse in Michigan

Attorney General Dana Nessel launched the investigation into Michigan priest sexual abuse in 2018. A "Catholic Church Hotline" was created to field reports and tips on priest sexual abuse. These tips have been corroborated by victim interviews and files seized from Michigan Catholic diocese records. Many priests now face criminal charges, or will in the future.

"This is about taking on large-scale institutions that turn a blind eye to victims and making certain we hold them all accountable--that includes unapologetically pursuing any and all individuals who abuse their power by victimizing our residents." -Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel

A large team of attorneys, special agents and Michigan State Police troopers have participated in the effort. Thus far, the Michigan priest sexual abuse investigation has resulted in at least eleven prosecutions and several convictions. Former Michigan Catholic priest who have been prosecuted for priest sexual abuse include:

• Vincent DeLorenzo, Holy Redeemer Church in Burton, Michigan
• Jacob Vellian, priest at St. John the Evangelist Parish in Benton Harbor
• Timothy Crowley, priest at St. Thomas Rectory in Ann Arbor
• Gary Jacobs, priest at parishes in Ewen and Iron Mountain in the Upper Peninsula
• Roy Joseph, priest in Marquette
• Neil Kalina, priest at St. Kiernan Catholic Church in Shelby Township
• Joseph "Jack" Baker, pastor at St. Mary Parish in Wayne, associate pastor at Sacred Heart in Dearborn and St. Hugo of the Hills Parish in Bloomfield Hills
• Joseph Comperchio, teacher at St. John Elementary in Jackson County
• Gary Berthiaume, a priest at Our Lady of Sorrows in Farmington
• Patrick Casey, priest at St. Theodore of Canterbury Parish in Westland
• Brian Stanley, priest at St. Margaret's Church in Coldwater

Through the millions of documents seized and reviewed by the Michigan Attorney General's office, a pattern has been revealed: When allegations of sexual abuse surfaced against Michigan priest members, they were frequently moved to a different parish or diocese, where they had the opportunity to continue to prey on children. In fact, the Michigan priest sexual abuse investigation was prompted by revelations in a similar investigation in Pennsylvania that priests who had been accused of child sexual abuse in that state had been moved to Michigan parishes to avoid scandal.

Reporting Michigan Priest Sexual Abuse

Given the stigma associated with sexual abuse, combined with the power dynamics between a young person and a priest, it is no surprise many survivors of Michigan priest sexual abuse never reported these hideous crimes. Prior to reporting, adult survivors of priest sexual abuse often suffer from seemingly unconnected difficulties in their lives, such as anxiety, depression, or addiction.

Many survivors of priest sexual abuse in Michigan do not report the abuse or realize its impacts on their life until decades later. The Michigan priest sexual abuse investigation showed victims they would finally be listened to and believed. Now legislators have removed barriers to reporting and many victims of priest sexual abuse in Michigan have new rights to pursue justice fully in a court of law. Our firm is fervently committed to holding the Michigan Catholic church responsible for their egregious handling of priest sexual abuse cases.

Let Our Michigan Priest Sexual Abuse Lawyers Help You

Our attorneys specialize in pursuing justice on behalf of our clients against large institutions, no matter how complex the case. Through settlements and winning verdicts, our attorneys have obtained millions for our clients. Let us help you today.

Michigan Priest Sexual Abuse Lawsuits

Filing a lawsuit will allow you to hold an institution accountable for childhood sexual abuse suffered by you or a loved one, while also providing real compensation for pain, suffering, and related losses. Contact us today for a free consultation.