MICHIGAN CLERGY SEXUAL ABUSE LAWYERS

Introduction

Our attorneys and dedicated survivor support team understand the courage it takes to come forward and speak out against your abuser, and it is important to know that you are not alone. We want to hear your confidential story and obtain justice and demand accountability against your abuser.

Statistics show that every 68 seconds one American is sexually assaulted. Every nine minutes, that person is a child. You are not alone in this journey, and our dedicated attorneys and support team will be with you along the way.

Our attorneys have dedicated their careers to representing survivors of sexual abuse. We have guided hundreds of survivors through negotiations and settlements to bring abusers and enabling institutions to justice.

We have represented hundreds of sexual abuse survivors in Michigan, including those abused by Michigan State’s Dr. Larry Nassar and the University of Michigan’s Dr. Robert Anderson. Our advocacy and dedication to our clients has been recognized by Michigan Super Lawyers, Michigan Lawyers Weekly, The National Trial Lawyers, American Association for Justice, and many more nationally recognized organizations.

MI Attorney General Investigation

On September 21st, 2018, the Michigan Department of Attorney General launched an investigation into clergy sexual abuse throughout the State of Michigan focusing on the 7 Dioceses of Michigan’s Catholic Churches.

• Michigan.gov – Clergy Abuse Investigation
• Detroit News – Michigan Nessel Clergy Abuse Probe

Paper document review has resulted the following:

• Grand Rapids: Accused Priests: 105 Identified Victims: 207
• Lansing: Accused Priests: 100 Identified Victims: 158
• Gaylord: Accused Priests: 40 Identified Victims: 70
• Detroit: Accused Priests: 32 Identified Victims: 48
• Saginaw: Accused Priests: 53 Identified Victims: 67
• Kalamazoo: Accused Priests: 22 Identified Victims: 13
• Marquette: Accused Priests: 54 Identified Victims: 144

The Michigan attorney general has investigated and charged numerous priests within the Catholic Church. Since her investigations began, these priests have been charged with criminal sexual conduct:

• Timothy Michael Crowley, 69, Lansing Diocese, previously a priest at St. Thomas Rectory in Ann Arbor, Michigan.
• Neil Kalina, 63, Archdiocese of Detroit, previously a priest at St. Kiernan Catholic Church in Shelby Township, Michigan, from 1982 to 1985.
• Patrick Casey, 55, Archdiocese of Detroit, previously a priest at St. Theodore of Canterbury Parish in Westland, Michigan.
• Jacob Vellian, 84, Kalamazoo Diocese, previously a priest at St. John the Evangelist Parish in Benton Harbor, Michigan.
• Vincent DeLorenzo, 80, Lansing Diocese, previously a priest at Holy Redeemer Church in Burton, Michigan.
• Joseph (Jack) Baker, Archdiocese of Detroit, previously a priest at St. Perpetua Parish in Waterford, Michigan; St. Mary Parish in Wayne, Michigan; Sacred Heart Parish in Dearborn, Michigan; and associate pastor at St. Hugo of the Hills Parish in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan.
• Brian Stanley, 57, Lansing, Michigan Diocese, previously a priest at St. Margaret’s Church.
• Joseph Comperchio, 68, taught at St. John Catholic School in Jackson, Michigan, from 1974 to 1977 and at Canterbury School in Lee County, Florida.
• Gary Berthiaume, 80, previously a priest at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Wyandotte and later Our Lady of Sorrows in Farmington, Michigan.

On October 27, 2022, the Michigan Attorney General’s office released a Report of Alleged Abuse at Marquette Catholic Diocese about allegations of abuse in the Marquette Catholic Diocese. According to the AGs office, the list of priests alleged to have engaged in sexual misconduct against children or adults since January 1, 1950, is derived from information gleaned from a search warrant executed against the Diocese of Marquette on October 3, 2018. There are 44 priests on this list; 38 were employed or incardinated by the Marquette Diocese. The list identifies these priests:

• Fr. Casimir Adasiewicz, died 1981.
• Fr. Thomas Anderson, died 1981.
• Fr. Emil Beyer, died 2003.
• Fr. Joseph Carne, died 2019.
• Fr. Leonard Cornelius, O.F.M., active ministry at Archeparchy of Pittsburgh.
• Fr. Richard T. Craig, removed from ministry in 1993.
• Fr. Timothy Desrochers, died 2020.
• Fr. Thomas Dunleavy, 2002.
• Fr. Gino Ferraro, died 1976.
• Fr. Wilbur Gibbs, died 1988.
• Fr. Basil Goerner, died 2008.
• Fr. Michael Hale, died 1975.
• Fr. Gerald Harrington, died 1962.
• Fr. Donald Hartman, died 1999, removed from the ministry in 1992.
• Fr. Aloysius Hasenberg, died 2016, removed from the ministry in 2008.
• Fr. Terrence Healy, died 2019, removed from ministry in 1987 and convicted of criminal sexual conduct.
• Fr. Raymond Hoefgen, died 2012, removed from the ministry in 2002.
• Fr. John Hughes, died 1979.
• Fr. Gary Jacobs, removed from ministry in 1989 and convicted of criminal sexual conduct.
• Fr. Roy Joseph, charged with criminal sexual conduct.
• Fr. Norbert Lacosse, died 2014, removed from the ministry in 1990.
• Fr. Frank Lenz, remains in ministry with limitations.
• Fr. Clement Lepine, died 2000.
• Fr. Mark McQuesten, remains in active ministry.
• Fr. James Menapace, died 2022, removed from the ministry in 2002.
• Fr. Peter Minelli, died 2017, removed from the ministry in 2014.
• Fr. Albert Mligo, presumed alive.
• Fr. Robert Monroe, died 1980.
• Fr. Aaron Nowicki, removed from ministry in 2019, charged with criminal sexual conduct.
• Fr. Vincent Ouellette, died 1998.
• Fr. Wilfred Pelletier, died 1973.
• Fr. Anthony Polakowski, died 1978.
• Fr. Armour Roberts, died 1989.
• Fr. David Rocheleau, died 1984.
• Fr. Nelson Daniel Rupp, presumed alive, resigned as pastor in 1996.
• Fr. Walter Sheedlo, presumed alive, removed from ministry in 2009.
• Fr. Don Shiroda, died 2011.
• Fr. Ephream/Ephraim Sitko, died 1982.
• Fr. Neil Smith, died 2007.
• Fr. Charles Strelick, died 2017, retired from the ministry in 1995.
• Fr. Jan Szczykowski, unknown if dead or alive, returned to Poland in 1998.
• Fr. Guy Thoren, died 2011, removed from the ministry in 2002.
• Fr. Bernard Van Der Schueren, SJ, died 2009.
• Fr. James Wolf, O.F.M., CAP, alive, retired/restricted in ministry since 2005.

According to a statewide clergy abuse investigation report, the Michigan Attorney General’s Office’s Clergy Abuse Investigative Team has uncovered a total of 454 priests accused of sex abuse, 811 survivors, and 11 clergy members who were charged. In addition, the investigative team has found that Grand Rapids has the highest number of accused clergy members and survivors, with 105 priests and 207 survivors.

* Diocese of Marquette Final Report

What can I recover?

Nothing can bring back what was lost as a result of the sexual abuse that you or a loved one suffered. But under the law and in civil court, the remedy you are entitled to is financial in nature.

In a civil court, when a lawsuit is filed, the individual bringing the lawsuit (the plaintiff) is entitled to damages if they are successful. Damages can include economic damages resulting from the sexual abuse—like medical or therapy bills—but they can also include non-economic damages, which include past, current, and future emotional distress; past, current, and future diminished quality of life; and pain and suffering resulting from the sexual abuse.

Contact Us

The legal journey in sexual abuse cases requires more than just expertise—it requires empathy, sensitivity, and an unwavering commitment to justice. At GGH, we understand the profound impact that sexual abuse has on survivors and their families. We stand firm in our belief that survivors of sexual abuse have the right to seek justice, hold perpetrators accountable, and begin the process of healing.

The GGH team is dedicated to ensuring that survivors' voices are heard and their stories respected. We are here to help you navigate the legal process with care and confidence, advocating for the justice and closure you deserve.

Contact GGH Today for a free consultation at (312) 728-7444 or contact us online.