The Archdiocese of Detroit firmly believes transparency is key to healing; this value is at the center of our pledge to listen to victims of clergy sexual abuse, act on the information they provide and to do everything in our power to atone for past wrongs.

As part of this commitment, the Archdiocese in 2002 first posted publicly the names of archdiocesan clergy credibly accused of sexual abuse of minors or vulnerable persons. In the years since 2002, the Archdiocese has added to the list names of priests credibly accused after their death. The Archdiocese considers a complaint to be credible, or substantiated, if it has a “semblance of truth,” meaning it appears to be or could possibly be true. This is a lower standard of proof than those used in civil and criminal proceedings, (preponderance of evidence and beyond a reasonable doubt, respectively).

Individuals on the lists below who are still living are prohibited from engaging in any form of public ministry or presenting themselves publicly as priests. Individuals are listed alongside their current status with the Archdiocese of Detroit.

In addition, we list any religious order clerics who served in southeast Michigan and were credibly accused of abuse, either locally or in another area. These allegations were found to be credible by the religious order under whom each individual served. Please note that as religious orders function independently from any archdiocese or diocese, including in matters of reviewing abuse complaints, this list is dependent upon the Archdiocese receiving notification from a religious order of an individual’s restriction and/or removal from ministry.

Allegations against individuals on the lists below were corroborated either by secular legal proceedings, canon (Church) law proceedings, self-admission by the individual or threshold evidence. However, there remains a presumption of innocence until and unless an individual is found guilty in secular or Church proceedings.

We provide these lists in the hope that it provides some measure of peace to victims. It is also our prayer that those who have not yet shared their abuse may find the strength to step forward, knowing we will listen.

We continually update these lists with the intention of keeping them as updated and accurate as possible. Individuals with knowledge of sexual abuse by clergy or other Church representatives are urged to contact local law enforcement and/or the Michigan Attorney General’s Office. Individuals also may contact the Archdiocese of Detroit by visiting protect.aod.org, calling the toll-free, 24/7 victim assistance line at (866) 343-8055 or by emailing vac@aod.org. There are no time limits or restrictions on individuals wishing to report abuse.

Credible allegation
When the Archdiocese of Detroit receives an allegation of abuse against a child or vulnerable person, its first action is to report the complaint to civil authorities, regardless of the source of the complaint or the date of the alleged activity. No complaints are held back, pre-screened or disregarded. When the Archdiocese is notified by civil authorities that it may proceed, the archdiocesan Review Board considers the allegation. The Review Board considers a credible allegation to be one with a “semblance of truth,” meaning it appears to be or could possibly be true. There remains a presumption of innocence until and unless an individual is found guilty in secular or Church proceedings.

Restricted from Public Ministry
No priest or deacon with a credible allegation against him is permitted to continue in public ministry during the time his case is pending with Church or civil authorities. These individuals are temporarily restricted from public ministry pending the outcome of any civil and Church procedures. Once an allegation is deemed credible by the Archdiocese of Detroit, Archbishop Vigneron forwards the case to the Vatican’s Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith (CDF). After a review of the case, the CDF will authorize a canonical trial or administrative process to render a judgment about the guilt or innocence of a priest accused of the sexual abuse of a minor or vulnerable adult. There remains a presumption of innocence until and unless an individual is found guilty in civil or Church proceedings.

While restricted from ministry, individuals may not represent themselves as priests or deacons, wear clerical attire or exercise any form of public ministry. The Archdiocese remains in contact with restricted priests and deacons to verify compliance with the strict limitations on their public ministry.

Permanently Removed from Public Ministry 
Individuals who are found guilty of sexual abuse of minors or vulnerable adults by the Vatican’s Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith may be permanently removed from public ministry. These individuals are permanently prohibited from representing themselves as priests or deacons, wearing clerical attire and exercising any form of public ministry. They are monitored by a retired parole officer to verify compliance with these severe limitations on their public ministry.

Dismissed from the clerical state, or laicized
Individuals who are found guilty of sexual abuse of minors or vulnerable adults by the Vatican’s Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith may be dismissed from the clerical state, also known as laicized by the Holy See. This has been informally referred to in secular society as “being defrocked.” Like those removed from public ministry, these individuals are permanently prohibited from representing themselves as priests or deacons, wearing clerical attire and exercising any form of Church ministry.

Minor 
Any person under the age of eighteen, or who is considered by law to be the equivalent of a minor.

Vulnerable person 
Any person in a state of infirmity, physical or mental deficiency, or deprivation of personal liberty which, even occasionally, limits their ability to understand or want or otherwise resist the offense.

Sexual abuse of minor or vulnerable person
Sexual molestation or sexual exploitation of that individual – by violence, threat, abuse of authority or other behavior – by which an adult uses a minor or vulnerable person as an object of sexual gratification. In Church (canon) law, it involves assessing an allegation of sexual abuse as to whether that conduct with a minor or vulnerable person qualifies as an external, objectively grave violation of the sixth commandment of the Decalogue, or Ten Commandments. It need not be a complete act of intercourse. Nor, to be objectively grave, does an act need to involve force, physical contact, or a discernible harmful outcome. Furthermore, the production, exhibition, possession or distribution of child pornography, as well the recruitment of or inducement of a minor or a vulnerable person to participate in pornographic exhibitions, is also considered a grave violation of the sixth commandment.

Child pornography
Any representation of a minor, regardless of the means used, involved in explicit sexual activities, whether real or simulated, and any representation of sexual organs of minors for primarily sexual purposes. The production, exhibition, possession or distribution, including by electronic means, of child pornography, as well as by the recruitment of or inducement of a minor or vulnerable person to participate in pornographic exhibitions are considered grave violations of the sixth commandment of the Decalogue, or Ten Commandments.