The Michigan Attorney General’s office released its report June
25 detailing the findings of its investigation related to clerical
sexual abuse in the Diocese of Saginaw, the sixth of seven such
investigations into the handling of abuse in each of Michigan’s Catholic
dioceses.
So far, reports have covered the dioceses of Marquette, Gaylord, Kalamazoo, Lansing and Grand Rapids. The final report is expected to cover the Archdiocese of Detroit.
According to the report, “all seven dioceses have cooperated with the
AG’s investigation,” which began in 2018, including the Diocese of
Saginaw. Representatives of the diocese have met regularly with members
of the attorney general’s team throughout the course of the
investigation.
The Saginaw report covers a period of more than 75 years, dating back
to 1950, and involves both diocesan and religious order priests who
have served in the diocese.
“We fully believe in greater accountability and transparency, which
is essential in restoring the trust that has been broken resulting from
the misconduct of a few,” Saginaw Bishop Robert D. Gruss said in a letter to the faithful in response to the report’s release.
Of the 680 priests who have served in the Diocese of Saginaw since
1950, the report found allegations of abuse against 37 priests and one
deacon, involving a total of 104 victims. Of those accused of abuse, 30
are known or presumed to be deceased, and of the eight living clergy,
“none are in active ministry,” Bishop Gruss said.
A vast majority of the allegations occurred before 2002, the report
states, when the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops first ratified the
Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People, which
standardized diocesan procedures related to the handling of sexual abuse
and safe environment policies.
No criminal charges were filed against priests in the Diocese of
Saginaw as a result of the investigation, and “there is no indication
that the Diocese has violated Michigan’s reporting obligations to report
the sexual abuse of minors,” the report states.
Most of the allegations contained in the report concern allegations of misconduct occurring in the 1970s and 1980s.
“As Bishop of the Diocese of Saginaw, I want to express my deepest
sorrows to those who have been victims of abuse by members of the
clergy,” said Bishop Gruss, who was installed as bishop in 2019. “Please
accept my sincere apology for the pain and suffering you have
experienced by those who were entrusted with your care. I’m deeply
saddened by it all. And, again, I apologize to you on behalf of the
Church and our Diocese.”
Throughout the investigation, the attorney general’s tip line yielded
180 tips related to the Diocese of Saginaw, of which 115 were provided
by the diocese itself.
While the Church continues to express its sorrow for the sins of the
past, “(i)t’s clear that the Catholic Church in the United States has
made significant progress over the last 20-plus years in putting
safeguards in place to protect children, young people and vulnerable
adults,” Bishop Gruss said.
Every diocese in the United States is audited each year by a
third-party firm hired by the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops to
ensure compliance with the 2002 charter, including mandated safe
environment training, background checks, and procedures related to the
handling and investigation of sexual abuse claims.
Bishop Gruss said the Saginaw diocese has been found each year to be
in compliance with the charter. Since 2020, the diocese has trained
5,174 people through VIRTUS’ Protecting God’s Children program.
In addition, Bishop Gruss said the Diocesan Review Board, an
independent consultative body that meets at least quarterly, reviews
each allegation, as well as safe environment policies, to ensure they
remain strong and effective.
“The bottom line is that we want every parish, school, and ministry
to be places where everyone feels safe, respected, and loved,” Bishop
Gruss said.
While much progress has been made, Bishop Gruss said the stain of
abuse remains a “sad and tragic period in the life and history of the
Church; many would say, the greatest scandal in the history of the
American Catholic Church.”
Bishop Gruss said that while no words can make up for the pain of
abuse, the Diocese of Saginaw remains committed to accompanying
victim-survivors, whose courage in coming forth helps ensure such sins
are not repeated.
He also encouraged those affected by abuse to contact the Attorney
General’s tip line at (844) 324-3374, as well as the Diocese of
Saginaw’s victim assistance coordinator, who is available to help
survivors file a report or obtain support, at (989) 797-6682
or victim.assistance@diosag.org.
“Clearly, we are a different Church today because of those who have
and continue to courageously share their stories, so that the sins and
crimes which damaged the Body of Christ could be addressed. But we also
mourn those who have been abused and have been driven from the Church
because of what has happened to them. We continue to pray for their
healing and return,” Bishop Gruss said.
“May the Lord Jesus heal the pain of those who have suffered, bring
mercy to the sinner, strengthen all of us to walk together in faith and
so reflect His life and love, thus bearing new life in our Church and in
the world.”
Report abuse
Like all of Michigan’s dioceses, the Archdiocese of Detroit remains
committed to fully cooperating with state officials as they continue
their investigation.
For more information about the handling of abuse
cases in the Archdiocese of Detroit and how it approaches safety for
children, youth, and vulnerable adults, please visit protect.aod.org/.
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 at (844) 324-3374 or aginvestigations@michigan.gov.
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.