The Diocese of Gaylord’s reputation has been deeply affected by widespread allegations of sexual abuse involving clergy members. Survivors have reported incidents of abuse spanning several decades, underscoring failures by the diocese to properly address misconduct.

For those affected, Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers provides experienced legal guidance, offering skilled representation to survivors of clergy sexual abuse. Our Michigan clergy sexual abuse attorneys understand the sensitive nature of these cases and are committed to helping survivors hold wrongdoers accountable while seeking appropriate compensation.

Background and Influence of the Diocese of Gaylord

The Diocese of Gaylord was officially established in 1971 to serve the northern counties of Michigan’s lower peninsula, with St. Mary Cathedral in Gaylord as its heart. Covering a vast geographic region and ministering to tens of thousands of parishioners, the diocese quickly became a cornerstone of religious life.

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Over the decades, it has influenced not just the spiritual lives of residents but also local culture and education through its network of churches and Catholic schools. Many parishioners regularly attend services, stay engaged by subscribing to Faith Magazine, and remain informed of current diocesan news and events through platforms like Sunday Visitor OSV and the bishop’s weekly message.

Leadership within the diocese has played a major role in shaping its trajectory, including notable figures such as Bishop Walsh, the current head of the diocese, who frequently shares updates and reflections with parishioners.

While many bishops and clergy have contributed positively to the diocese’s mission, several clergy members have been named in allegations of sexual abuse. These individuals served in various parishes across the region, including St. Mary Cathedral and parishes in Traverse City.

The diocese’s position within the larger Roman Catholic structure made its role even more significant. Beyond weekly Masses and local outreach, it fostered strong community ties.

Unfortunately, this influence also allowed for a troubling pattern to emerge, where abuse went unreported or unresolved, leaving survivors feeling betrayed by those they trusted.

Abuse Allegations Within the Diocese of Gaylord

The Diocese of Gaylord has faced numerous allegations of sexual abuse involving clergy members, with incidents spanning from its establishment in 1971 through recent years. A comprehensive report by the Michigan Attorney General in January 2024 detailed accusations against 26 priests and two deacons associated with the diocese. [1]

Some of these include:

An adult woman reported to Bishop Patrick Cooney that Fr. Patrick J. Barrett had sexually abused her approximately 30 years earlier, when she was a minor, albeit outside the diocese. She also alleged that Barrett had abused her four sisters, with at least one victim as young as five years old at the time of the abuse.
A woman reported that Fr. Walter William Derylo had inappropriate contact with her daughter when she was approximately five or six years old. The woman disclosed that she had been in a sexual relationship with Derylo, which he confirmed.
A report was made to Bishop Robert Rose indicating that Fr. James A. Holtz had sexually abused a 12- or 13-year-old boy after providing him with alcohol. The victim later informed Bishop Patrick Cooney that he was aware of two other boys who may have been abused by Holtz, one of whom attempted suicide and another who died by suicide. [2]

The list of Michigan clergy accused of sexual misconduct in the Catholic Diocese of Gaylord includes:

Fr. Patrick J. Barrett
Fr. Walter William Derylo
Fr. James Kemp Gardiner
Fr. Ronald Vincent Gronowski
Fr. Lionel A. Harnish
Fr. Wilbert (Norbert) Hegener
Fr. James A. Holtz
Fr. Francis Karl
Fr. Benedict J. Marciulionis
Fr. Bryan W. Medlin
Fr. Leo Olschausken
Fr. Raymond John Pilarski
Fr. Terrence Andrew Raymond
Fr. Laurus R. Rhode
Fr. Robert Gordon Smith
Deacon Richard R. Trapp
Fr. John Tupper

Legal Proceedings and Investigations into the Diocese of Gaylord

The Diocese of Gaylord has been the subject of multiple legal investigations and civil lawsuits concerning clergy sexual abuse. A key turning point occurred in 2018 when the Michigan Attorney General launched a statewide investigation into sexual abuse within Catholic dioceses across Michigan, including Gaylord.

Law enforcement executed search warrants at diocesan offices, seizing thousands of documents related to past abuse allegations. The investigation revealed that diocesan leadership had, for decades, failed to report credible accusations to law enforcement, opting instead to handle cases internally.

Several cases were referred to local prosecutors, though many of the alleged incidents fell outside the statute of limitations for criminal charges.

Multiple civil lawsuits have been filed against the Diocese of Gaylord by survivors of clergy abuse. These lawsuits have sought compensation for the emotional, psychological, and physical harm suffered by victims. In many instances, the diocese has opted to settle claims out of court, resulting in millions of dollars in payouts to survivors. Some of these include:

Father Ronald Vincent Gronowski was accused of sexually abusing multiple teenage boys over several years. One victim reported that Gronowski engaged in a “sexual relationship” with him during this period and another individual corroborated similar experiences. In response to these allegations, the Diocese of Gaylord reached a confidential settlement with one of the victims in 1995, amounting to $50,000.
Father John Tupper was accused of sexual misconduct involving an adult female hospital patient. The Diocese of Gaylord reached a settlement with the victim, providing $20,000 in compensation. [2]

The Diocese’s Role in Enabling Abuse or Cover-Ups

Over the years, the Diocese of Gaylord has faced significant scrutiny for its handling of clergy sexual abuse allegations.

Several cases within the diocese illustrate a disturbing trend of inaction when abuse was first reported. Like other Roman Catholic dioceses across the U.S., the Gaylord Diocese engaged in practices that protected accused clergy. Instead of removing priests accused of abuse, it reassigned them to different parishes without informing parishioners of the allegations.

In several instances, clergy accused of abuse were transferred to remote or less prominent parishes in northern counties of Michigan’s lower peninsula. This practice effectively shielded them from public scrutiny, enabling further abuse.

Reports indicate that survivors and their families were often discouraged from pursuing legal action. Victims have recounted being pressured by diocesan officials to remain silent to “protect the church.”

In response to mounting public outrage and legal repercussions, the diocese has implemented new policies aimed at preventing future abuse. These include:

Mandatory reporting of abuse allegations to law enforcement;
Background checks for clergy and church staff;
Training programs focused on abuse prevention and victim support.

Legal Options for Survivors of Abuse Within the Diocese of Gaylord

Survivors of clergy sexual abuse in the Diocese of Gaylord can seek justice through criminal or civil cases. Criminal cases pursued by law enforcement may result in penalties like imprisonment but are often limited by statutes of limitations.

Civil lawsuits, however, offer more flexibility due to recent changes in the law that have extended or lifted these limitations. Through civil claims, survivors can seek compensation for emotional distress, medical expenses, and other damages.

How Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers Can Help

As experienced clergy abuse lawyers, Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers have a deep understanding of the complexities involved in these cases. Our Catholic clergy abuse attorneys provide:

Compassionate support to survivors through every stage of the legal process;
Thorough investigation of the abuse claims, gathering evidence, and building strong cases;
Negotiation and litigation expertise to secure fair settlements or pursue trial when necessary.

With our track record of representing survivors of clergy sexual abuse, we are well-equipped to help survivors in the Gaylord Diocese and beyond achieve a sense of justice and financial recovery.

We represent victims of clergy abuse within the:

Secure Expert Legal Counsel!

If you or a loved one has suffered from clergy sexual abuse in the Diocese of Gaylord, it’s important to know that help is available.

At Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers, we operate on a contingency fee basis, meaning survivors do not pay any legal fees unless compensation is secured. This ensures that survivors can pursue justice without financial risk. Additionally, we guarantee strict confidentiality throughout the process, respecting the sensitive nature of these cases.

Call (888) 424-5757 or fill out our contact form to schedule a free consultation.

References: [1] Michigan.gov, [2] Bishop Accountability

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.