The Unfolding Michigan Catholic Church Crisis
For decades, Michigan has grappled with the devastating impact of Catholic clergy abuse. Our team of Michigan based attorneys are here to help survivors of church abuse to heal and take legal action against these sexual predator priests.
We understand that it may be difficult for abuse victims to come forth, but understand that by taking action against those who caused harm – may lead to other survivors to come forth and begin the healing process.
The attorneys at the Schmidt National Law Firm will provide a factual and compassionate look at the issue, offering legal support to survivors and educating the public on this critical matter.
BREAKING NEWS: December 18, 2024 — A new report was published by Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel, named The Lansing Report, which names 56 perpetrators who worked in the Diocese from 1950 to the present.
“We hope this report provides a voice to those who have suffered in silence for so long and shines a light on those alleged offenders.” She goes on to state: “By publishing these reports, we are sharing their stories and validating their experiences. Criminal prosecutions are just one accountability metric.”
This massive 345 page reports on the long standing culture of sexual abuse from victims statements and findings of the department, police investigations, and paper trails from documents seized from the Diocese of Lansing and even some data from other Diocese in other regions of Michigan.
“These reports are important not just because we made a promise to the survivors of these abuses years ago but because victims, especially in cases like these where the assaults were perpetrated by entrusted members of a community, are so often silenced, in some cases for decades,” Nessel said.
The office of the Michigan Attorney General setup an online tip-line that received 1,137 tips related to abuse, with 180 of those tips leading to victim interviews, 285 police reports, and multiple police investigations.
A Timeline of Tragedy and Accountability in the Michigan Diocese
1950s-1990s: The Silent Years
- Numerous cases of sexual abuse occur, often unreported or covered up
- Survivors struggle in silence, many unaware of the widespread nature of the problem
2002: The Turning Point
- Boston Globe’s exposé on clergy abuse sparks national attention
- Michigan dioceses begin to acknowledge past cases
2018: A Watershed Moment Michigan AG Takes Action
- Michigan Attorney General launches statewide investigation into Catholic clergy abuse, they identified 454 priests accused of abuse and 811 victims.
- Raids conducted on all seven Michigan dioceses including:
- Archdiocese of Detroit
- Diocese of Gaylord
- Diocese of Grand Rapids
- Diocese of Kalamazoo
- Diocese of Lansing
- Diocese of Marquette
- Diocese of Saginaw
2024-Present: Unveiling the Truth
The Attorney General issued a press release last May that shows the plan and internal operations of the department. The document was published to recognize victims’ abuse reports and present the Department’s conclusions. It compiles information from various sources: the tip line, victim interviews, police investigations, media reports, seized Diocese of Kalamazoo papers, and diocesan computer files, as well as allegations disclosed by the Diocese itself.
The list of priests accused of sexual misconduct against children or adults since January 1, 1950, for the Diocese of Kalamazoo (established in 1971) comes from two main sources: a search warrant executed on the Diocese on October 3, 2018, and the Attorney General’s tip line operating since 2018. This list includes 19 priests, with 12 ordained or incardinated by the Kalamazoo Diocese.
Nessel stated, “Sexual assault and abuse have been shrouded in silence for too long. This investigation aims to break that silence, giving survivors a voice. My department is dedicated to thoroughly examining and investigating every case of sexual abuse and assault to seek justice for victims.”
If you are a survivor of childhood clergy abuse in Michigan, know that you are not alone. There are resources available to help you seek justice and begin the healing process. Contact us today using the 100% secure intake form, or call us direct at 1-800-631-5656.
Are you a survivor of Catholic church sexual abuse in Michigan?
Michigan Catholic Church Clergy Abuse
Let us work together to ensure that justice is served and that victims of clergy sex abuse receive the compensation and support they need to heal.
Emotional support groups like RAINN are also ready to provide guidance during this traumatic time.
Visit them at https://rainn.org
The Kalamazoo Diocese agreed to share abuse reports with the Attorney General’s Department. Victims often confide in their religious leaders about alleged abuse. The Diocese’s willingness to provide information was crucial in creating the report. Before public release, the report was shared with the Diocese to ensure accuracy and completeness.
The report includes detailed accounts of sexual abuse and misconduct allegations, including grooming and authority misuse, against both minors and adults. Many of these allegations can’t be criminally prosecuted due to the statute of limitations, the accused priest’s death, or because the alleged conduct didn’t violate Michigan law. In some cases, the person reporting the abuse chose not to pursue criminal charges.
This information is being shared publicly to honor the victims of these alleged crimes and to show how the Department of Attorney General used its resources to investigate and prosecute clergy abuse. It’s crucial to remember that a criminal charge is just an accusation, and defendants are innocent until proven guilty. This is the third of seven reports, one for each Diocese. On October 27, 2022, the Department released its report on the Diocese of Marquette, and on January 8, 2024, it released its report on the Diocese of Gaylord.
In October 2018, 42 Michigan State Police troopers, five officers from other law enforcement agencies, and 15 special agents from the Department of Attorney General carried out search warrants at Michigan’s seven dioceses. They collected 220 boxes of paper documents and over 3.5 million digital files.
- Ongoing investigations across all Michigan diocese reveal hundreds of credibly accused priests
- Survivors come forward, emboldened by public support and legal action
Who are Some of the Michigan Catholic Priests that were Convicted and What Dioceses?
Archdioceses of Detroit
- Timothy J. Szott – Convicted in 2003 for possessing child abuse images.
- Joseph Sito – Pleaded guilty to a lesser charge related to sexual misconduct with a minor in the 1960s.
- Jason E. Sigler – Pleaded guilty in 1983 to abuse of a child.
- Hurmiz Risko Ishak – Convicted of sexually assaulting a young boy at church.
Dioceses of Kalamazoo
- Brian Stanley – Sentenced in January 2020 to 60 days incarceration and five years probation on one count of Attempted False Imprisonment for an incident involving a teenage boy
Other Dioceses
- Edward Theodore Olszewski – Convicted of indecent liberties with a minor, but the conviction was later reversed by the Michigan Supreme Court.
Michigan Legal Proceedings: Justice in the Courts
The road to justice has been long and challenging for survivors. Notable legal actions include:
- 2018: Attorney General investigation begins, reviewing thousands of documents
- 2019: First charges filed against multiple priests
- 2020-2021: Convictions secured in several high-profile cases
- Ongoing: Civil lawsuits filed by survivors against dioceses and individual clergy members. As of this time, approximately 9 clergymen have been charged and convicted.
“Every survivor who comes forward with a credible allegation deserves to be heard.” – Michigan Attorney General’s Office
If you are a survivor of childhood clergy abuse in Michigan, know that you are not alone. There are resources available to help you seek justice and begin the healing process. Contact us today using the 100% secure intake form, or call us direct at 1-800-631-5656.
What are The Statutes of Limitations for Filing an Abuse Lawsuit in Michigan -Who Can File?
Currently under Michigan law, survivors can file a child sexual abuse case up until the age of 28. As of 2018 Michigan implemented an important legislative change to further help survivors, adopting a three-year statutory discovery rule.
This rule permits the filing of lawsuits within three years from the date the survivor discovers the injury(s) and its causal relationship to the criminal sexual conduct, even if the survivors is now beyond the age of 28.
Prevention: Building a Safer Future
In response to the crisis, Michigan has implemented several measures to prevent future abuse:
- Mandatory Reporting Laws: Strengthened requirements for reporting suspected abuse
- Background Checks: Enhanced screening processes for clergy and church employees
- Victim Assistance Coordinators: Appointed in each diocese to support survivors
- Training Programs: Implemented to educate clergy, staff, and parishioners on recognizing and reporting abuse
Support for Clergy Abuse Survivors
If you or someone you know has been affected by clergy abuse, help is available:
- Michigan Sexual Assault Hotline: 1-855-VOICES4 (864-2374)
- RAINN National Sexual Assault Hotline: 1-800-656-HOPE (4673)
Taking Action: Be Part of the Solution
- Report Abuse: If you have information about clergy abuse, contact the Michigan Attorney General’s clergy abuse hotline at 844-324-3374
- Support Survivors: Believe survivors, listen without judgment, and encourage them to seek professional help
- Stay Informed: Follow updates on the ongoing investigations and legal proceedings
- Advocate for Change: Support legislation that protects children and holds abusers accountable
Remember, healing is possible, and you are not alone. Together, we can work towards justice, healing, and a safer future for all. Contact the Clergy Abuse Attorneys at the Schmidt National Law Group at 1-800-631-5656 or use the 100% Secure Intake Form on this page.
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Page: Catholic Clergy Abuse in Michigan Attorneys for Survivors updated on December 18, 2024