Marquette Catholic Diocese Clergy Abuse

Contact the Michigan Clergy Abuse Coalition for Help Today

For several years, the Michigan Attorney General’s Office has investigated instances of sexual abuse by clergy members within the Catholic Church. Several priests have already been charged with criminal acts related to sexual abuse, and the Attorney General’s office reports that more criminal charges will come. 

Criminal cases seek to hold a person accountable for violating criminal laws. They focus on punishing and deterring actions that harm society as a whole as well as individuals. Yet individuals injured by clergy sexual abuse often find a criminal case doesn’t fully compensate them for the mental and emotional pain they suffered一which they may have carried for decades.

Michigan residents abused by a member of the clergy may also file a civil lawsuit. These lawsuits seek compensation that financially compensates the individual survivor’s harms and losses directly. Talk with an attorney at the Michigan Clergy Abuse Coalition to find out the next steps. 

Michigan Attorney General Releases Report on Clergy Sexual Abuse in the Diocese of Marquette

The Michigan Attorney General’s Office, led by Dana Nessel, has released an in-depth report detailing allegations of sexual abuse within the Diocese of Marquette. A video overview of the report is also available. This publication represents the Attorney General’s commitment to transparency and accountability in addressing clergy sexual abuse in Michigan.

Report Overview

The report acknowledges the experiences of abuse survivors and compiles information obtained from various sources, including:

• Tips received through the Attorney General’s tip line.
• Victim interviews and police investigations.
• Open-source media and diocesan records (paper and electronic).
• Reports of allegations disclosed by the Diocese of Marquette.

This thorough investigation identified 44 priests accused of sexual misconduct since January 1, 1950. Among them, 38 were employed or incardinated by the Marquette Diocese.

Findings and Limitations

The report details allegations of sexual abuse, grooming, and misuse of authority involving minors and adults. However, many cases cannot be prosecuted due to:

• The expiration of the statute of limitations.
• The death of the accused individuals.

This report serves as both an acknowledgment of the victims’ experiences and a public accounting of the resources dedicated to investigating and prosecuting clergy abuse. Importantly, a criminal charge is only an allegation; defendants are presumed innocent unless proven guilty.

Statewide Investigation Progress

Since October 2018, the Michigan State Police and the Attorney General’s Office have conducted a large-scale investigation involving all seven dioceses in Michigan. This effort included:

• Seizing 220 boxes of paper records and over 3.5 million digital documents.
• Reviewing more than 1.5 million paper and electronic records.
• Employing a full-time victim advocate to assist survivors.
• Referring completed criminal investigations to the respective dioceses.

Priests and clergy members referenced in the report include:

• Fr. Gary Jacobs
• Fr. Roy Joseph
• Fr. Jacob Vellian
• Fr. Patrick Casey
• Fr. Brian Stanley
• Fr. Joseph Comperchio
• Fr. Neil Kalina
• Fr. Gary Berthiaume
• Fr. Joseph “Jack” Baker
• Fr. Vincent DeLorenzo

Compensation for Those Who Suffered Abuse from a Clergy Member

Criminal cases hold perpetrators accountable for crimes that harm society as a whole as well as individual survivors. In a civil lawsuit, the focus is entirely on the losses the individual survivor has suffered as a result of the abuse you endured.

A civil clergy sexual abuse lawsuit can compensate for harms and losses, such as:

• Medical bills for treatment of physical and mental injuries, including therapy or counseling; 
• Lost wages or loss of earnings capacity if the abuse or its effects prevented you from working and/or will in the future; 
• Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and similar mental or emotional disorders, like anxiety and depression; 
• Loss of enjoyment of everyday life activities; and 
• Embarrassment, humiliation, or damage to your reputation in your community or church. 

Finally, speaking up about past abuse requires courage. When you speak up, you shine a light on terrible abuse that has remained hidden for too long. By speaking up, you have the power to stop this abuse from happening to others in the future, and giving other abuse survivors the courage to also speak up.  Each person who raises their voice lends their bravery to others, helping them to come forward as well.