Clergy Sexual Abuse

The Archdiocese of Detroit stands with the brave victim survivors who seek to bring the crime of sexual abuse by clergy and other Church representatives into the light, where those who sinned are confronted and those who were harmed can find healing.

We encourage individuals to report abuse directly to law enforcement authorities or to the archdiocesan Victim Assistance Coordinator. In addition, we place no deadlines or time limits when investigating allegations of sexual abuse of minors by priests, deacons or other personnel. Be it five, 15 or 50 years later, our diocese accepts and responds to all reports. Since 2002, every complaint of abuse has been turned over to civil authorities, no matter how long ago the abuse occurred. Also, that year, the archdiocese turned over to civil authorities its files relating to allegations of abuse from previous years. We have, and continue to, cooperate with the investigation by the Michigan Attorney General’s Office into clergy sexual abuse in the seven dioceses in the State of Michigan.

The Archdiocese of Detroit will temporarily restrict from ministry any priest or deacon who is under investigation for a credible allegation of sexual abuse of a minor or vulnerable adult. As part of the investigation, every case is sent to the Congregation for the Doctrine of Faith in Rome, which has sole authority in adjudicating the case and in authorizing the imposition of a permanent penalty of a life of prayer and penance or dismissal from the clerical state.

All Frequently Asked Questions can be viewed here.

Updated January 2019