The Archdiocese of Detroit holds a significant place in the religious and cultural fabric of Southeast Michigan. However, this spiritual legacy has been overshadowed by troubling allegations of sexual abuse involving clergy members, casting a dark cloud over its historical significance.
These allegations highlight systemic failures within the archdiocese and broader legal implications for religious institutions. Survivors of abuse face profound challenges in seeking justice, often confronting institutional resistance and deeply rooted cultural stigma.
The Detroit clergy abuse lawyers at Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers offer survivors a trusted path toward recovering compensation, providing a voice for those silenced by years of neglect and suppression.
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Background and Influence of the Archdiocese of Detroit
The Archdiocese of Detroit, established in 1833, has grown to become one of the most influential Catholic dioceses in the United States. Encompassing six counties in Southeast Michigan, it serves hundreds of thousands of Catholics through its network of parishes, schools, and charitable organizations.
The Archdiocese of Detroit’s mission of “Sharing Christ in Southeast Michigan” is deeply intertwined with the region’s spiritual and cultural identity. Under the leadership of prominent figures like Archbishop Allen H. Vigneron, the Archdiocese has played a pivotal role in fostering community values and promoting Catholic teachings.
However, key figures within the clergy have been implicated in abuse scandals, tarnishing the archdiocese’s reputation. The leadership’s failure to adequately address past allegations has raised critical questions about accountability and transparency, further complicating its historical legacy.
As the archdiocese continues to influence Catholic society in Southeast Michigan, its inability—or unwillingness—to address systemic failings has profoundly impacted trust within the community.
Abuse Allegations Within the Archdiocese of Detroit
The allegations of sexual abuse within the Archdiocese of Detroit span decades, revealing disturbing patterns of predatory behavior by clergy members and systemic neglect by diocesan authorities.
Victims, often minors entrusted to the care of priests through Catholic schools, parishes, and youth programs, have come forward with harrowing accounts of abuse and describe enduring significant psychological trauma and shame, compounded by the silence and inaction of church leaders.
In July 2019, the Archdiocese of Detroit removed Reverend Eduard Perrone, pastor of Assumption Grotto Parish in Detroit, from public ministry following a credible allegation of sexual abuse involving a minor.
According to a former altar boy, Perrone would invite altar boys to his mother’s lake house, where they would wrestle in the water for extended periods. The wrestling reportedly escalated into inappropriate grabbing and groping.
While Perrone denied any wrongdoing, the Archdiocese reported the allegation to civil authorities and pledged full cooperation with law enforcement. [1]
In August 2020, Perrone received a $125,000 settlement from Wayne County for a defamation lawsuit he filed against a detective involved in the investigation. [2] In May 2022, he was found guilty of three violations of canon law and was allowed to resume limited public ministry, though not at Assumption Grotto.
In August 2022, Archbishop Paul F. Russell, recently appointed as an auxiliary bishop in Detroit, was accused of sexually abusing a 12-year-old boy approximately 25 times between 1989 and 1990 during his tenure as associate pastor at Sacred Heart Parish in Lynn, Massachusetts.
The lawsuit, filed in Massachusetts’ Suffolk County Superior Court, also names the Archdiocese of Boston and another priest who was pastor of Sacred Heart at the time.
Archbishop Russell, who began his ministry as a priest in 1987 after being ordained in the Archdiocese of Boston, has strongly denied the allegations, expressing that he is “shocked and saddened” by the claims and stating that they are without merit.
The Archdiocese of Detroit, which was not named in the lawsuit, reported that it was unaware of any misconduct allegations against Archbishop Russell until contacted by the media.
The alleged victim, identified as “John Doe” in the lawsuit, claims that the abuse occurred while he was a volunteer at the parish food bank, where then-Father Russell also worked. The plaintiff, now in his 40s, asserts that he did not understand he had been harmed at the time but has since sought psychological treatment related to the alleged abuse.
Archbishop Russell spent nearly 30 years as a Vatican diplomat, including serving as apostolic nuncio to Turkey, Turkmenistan, and Azerbaijan, before being appointed as an auxiliary bishop for the Archdiocese of Detroit by Pope Francis on May 23, 2022.
The Archdiocese of Detroit has expressed its commitment to following canonical guidelines as provided by the Holy See and has offered prayers for all victims of clerical abuse and their families. [4]
The list of Michigan priests accused of clergy abuse in the Archdiocese of Detroit includes:
- Fr. Benedict Adams
- Fr. Roman Ament
- Fr. Joseph Baker
- Fr. Harry S. Benjamin
- Fr. Gary D. Berthiaume
- Sr. Gael N. Biondo
- Fr. Brian Bjorklund
- Fr. Edmund S. Borycz
- Fr. William B. Brennan
- Fr. Gary Bueche
- Fr. Robert N. Burkholder
- Fr. Thomas J. Cain
- Fr. Anthony J. Conti
- Fr. Arthur Cooney
- Fr. Augustine Cops
- Fr. Patrick J. D’Angelo
- Br. Frank Luke Dalton
- Fr. Michael J. Daly
- Fr. Luis Javier de Alba Campos
- Fr. Harold Charles Depp
- Fr. Dennis D. Duggan
- Fr. Lawrence A. Edwards
- Fr. Jude T. Ellinghausen
- Fr. Lawrence T. Fares
- Fr. Joseph P. Femminineo
- Fr. Leonard R. Foisy
- Fr. Egbert Heinlein
- Fr. Leopold Gleissner
- Fr. Louis E. Grandpre
- Fr. Clarence (Rudolph) Grosser
- Fr. Robert W. Haener
- Fr. Kent Hajduk
- Fr. Albert Hillebrand
- Fr. Thomas J. Johnston
- Fr. Neil Kalina
- Fr. Arthur Michael Karey
- Fr. Kenneth Kaucheck
- Fr. C. Richard Kelly, Jr.
- Sr. Theresa Marie Kulwicki
- Fr. John Baptist Kurcz
- Fr. Dennis Laesch
- Fr. Richard Lauinger
- Fr. Walter J. Lezuchowski
- Fr. Michael D. Malawy
- Fr. Dennis L. Martell
- Fr. Bruce C. Maxwell
- Fr. Patrick L. McLaughlin
- Br. Matthew Migan
- Fr. Alfred J. Miller
- Fr. James Moeglein
- Deacon Frank Mullen
- Fr. Timothy J. Murray
- Fr. Lawrence Nawrocki
- Fr. Thomas O’Brien
- Fr. Loren O’Dea
- Fr. Edward Theodore Olszewski
- Fr. Thaddeus Ozog
- Fr. Eduard Perrone
- Fr. Thomas R. Physician
- Fr. Ralph Quane
- Deacon Hurmiz Risko Ishak
- Fr. Austin Schlaefer
- Fr. Gary Schulte
- Fr. Wendelin Shafer
- Fr. Gerald Shirilla
- Fr. Jason E. Sigler
- Fr. Joseph Sito
- Fr. Joseph Smetana
- Fr. Gerald F. Smola
- Fr. Robert Spader
- Br. Francis Mary Sparacino
- Fr. Kenneth Stewart
- Fr. Timothy J. Szott
- Fr. Jan (John)Tyminski
- Fr. Peter J. Van der Linden
- Fr. Lawrence M. Ventline
- Fr. Gerald John Vesnaugh
- Fr. Aloysius Volskis
- Fr. Harold A. Walsh
- Fr. David F. West
- Fr. Ronald R. Williams
- Fr. Robert Witkowski
- Fr. James C. Wolf
- Fr. James R. Wysocki
- Fr. Robert Wyzgoski
- Fr. Hilary Zach
Legal Proceedings and Investigations into the Archdiocese of Detroit
In September 2018, the Michigan Attorney General’s Office initiated a comprehensive investigation into allegations of sexual abuse by clergy within the state’s seven Catholic dioceses, including the Archdiocese of Detroit.
This investigation involved executing search warrants across all diocesan facilities in October 2018, leading to the seizure of approximately 1.5 million paper documents and 3.5 million electronic records. [5]
Both civil and criminal cases have been brought against individual clergy members and the archdiocese itself.
In July 2019, Reverend Joseph “Jack” Baker was charged with first-degree criminal sexual conduct involving a person under 13. He was convicted in October 2022 and sentenced to three to 15 years in prison. [6]
Accused of sexually assaulting a 24-year-old man during a counseling session in 2013, Reverend Patrick Casey pleaded guilty to aggravated assault in October 2019. He received a sentence of 45 days in jail and one year of probation. [7]
By September 2018, the Archdiocese of Detroit had paid nearly $4.5 million in clergy sexual abuse settlements and counseling, $1.3 million pertaining to cases reported prior to 2004. [8]
The Archdiocese’s Role in Enabling Abuse or Cover-Ups
The Archdiocese of Detroit has faced criticism for its handling of abuse allegations, with evidence of systemic failures enabling misconduct:
- Reassigning Accused Clergy: Priests like Reverend Gary Berthiaume, convicted of assaulting a 14-year-old in the 1970s, were transferred to new parishes despite credible allegations. [9]
- Ignoring Complaints: Victims often reported being dismissed or discouraged from pursuing legal action, leaving abuse unchecked.
- Cover-Ups: The Michigan Attorney General’s investigation revealed cases where church officials knew of the abuse but failed to report it to authorities.
- Policy Gaps: Earlier failures in oversight and training allowed harm to continue, though updated policies aim to address these issues.
Legal Options for Survivors of Abuse Within the Archdiocese of Detroit
Survivors of clergy sexual abuse within the Archdiocese of Detroit can report abuse to law enforcement for criminal prosecution of offenders. They can also file lawsuits against individual clergy members and the archdiocese for damages related to their abuse.
How Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers Can Help
The Michigan clergy abuse attorneys at Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers have extensive experience representing survivors in cases involving religious institutions like the Archdiocese of Detroit. From investigating claims to building strong cases, we ensure that survivors’ rights are upheld and that they receive the justice and compensation they deserve.
We represent victims of clergy abuse within the:
- Diocese of Saginaw
- Diocese of Grand Rapids
- Diocese of Kalamazoo
- Diocese of Marquette
- Diocese of Gaylord
- Diocese of Lansing
Secure Expert Legal Counsel!
If you or someone you love has been affected by clergy abuse, Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers are here to help. Our clergy abuse attorneys offer free, confidential consultations and work on a contingency fee basis, meaning you don’t pay unless we win your case.
Call (888) 424-5757 or fill out our contact form to schedule a free consultation.
References: [1] Detroit Free Press, [2] Detroit Free Press, [3] Detroit Catholic, [4] The Dialog, [5] State of Michigan, [6] State of Michigan, [7] Detroit News, [8] Detroit News, [9] Illinois Attorney General
All content undergoes thorough legal review by experienced attorneys, including Jonathan Rosenfeld. With 25 years of experience in personal injury law and over 100 years of combined legal expertise within our team, we ensure that every article is legally accurate, compliant, and reflects current legal standards.
