Despite its contributions to the community, the Diocese of Lansing’s reputation has been tarnished by numerous allegations of sexual abuse involving clergy members, with cases spanning decades.

For survivors seeking justice, Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers provides experienced legal representation, helping individuals hold perpetrators and institutions accountable. With a deep understanding of the sensitive nature of these cases, our Michigan clergy abuse attorney team is dedicated to securing justice and compensation for survivors.

Background and Influence of the Catholic Diocese of Lansing

The Diocese of Lansing was established in 1937 to serve the spiritual needs of Catholics in Michigan, encompassing parishes, schools, and charitable organizations across the region. With St. Mary Cathedral in downtown Lansing as its spiritual center, the diocese has long been a cornerstone of religious life for over 200,000 Catholics.

Table of Contents

The diocese’s history is deeply rooted in the growth of Catholicism in Michigan, with its outreach extending to rural areas, urban centers like Jackson, Flint, and Ann Arbor, and educational institutions across the state.

Through its network of Catholic high schools, elementary schools, and charities, the diocese has not only served as a spiritual guide but also contributed significantly to education and social welfare.

The late Bishop Kenneth Povish and subsequent bishops have shaped the diocese’s trajectory, emphasizing community engagement and faith-driven education. Leaders of the Lansing Diocese have often been prominent figures in Michigan’s religious and cultural dialogues, influencing policies on topics like gender identity and Catholic education.

However, the diocese’s prominence has also brought scrutiny, particularly regarding its handling of sexual abuse allegations. Some clergy accused of misconduct served in major parishes and institutions, with survivors reporting abuse during Catholic church services, youth programs, and schools overseen by the diocese.

While the Diocese of Lansing has implemented reforms to address past failings, including policies for mandatory reporting and enhanced background checks for clergy, many survivors and advocates remain critical of the diocese’s historical handling of abuse allegations.

The diocese continues to face calls for greater transparency and accountability, as faith in its leadership remains strained among some Catholics.

Despite these challenges, the diocese remains a central figure in Michigan’s religious life, with many parishioners staying connected through platforms like Faith Magazine, Catholic Charities, and other diocesan publications and services.

Abuse Allegations Within the Diocese of Lansing

The Diocese of Lansing has faced numerous allegations of sexual abuse involving clergy members, with reports spanning several decades. Reports indicate that many victims were minors involved in parish activities, including altar servers, students at Catholic schools, and participants in youth programs.

The list of Michigan priests accused of sexual misconduct in the Catholic Diocese of Lansing includes:

Fr. Joseph Emile Aubin
Fr. James B. Bettendorf
Fr. Alphonse Boardway
Fr. Francis Gerald Boyer
Fr. Kenneth F. Coughlin
Fr. Timothy M. Crowley
Fr. Vincent Anthony DeLorenzo
Fr. Patrick W. Egan
Fr. Alexander Thomas Fitzgerald
Br. Jeffrey Gregory
Fr. Paul James Guoan
Fr. Michael Robert Kelly
Fr. James William Lee, Jr.
Fr. Marian John Lesniak
Fr. Richard Lobert
Fr. Shaun D. Lowery
Fr. John Edward Martin
Fr. Joseph McHugh
Fr. James M. Novak
Fr. John Donald Slowey
Bishop James S. Sullivan
Fr. Edgar Szymanski
Fr. Chester Vincent Tomaszewski
Fr. Darius W. Wyszynski

Legal Proceedings and Investigations into the Diocese of Lansing

The Attorney General’s office released a detailed report in December 2024, naming over 30 priests from the Lansing Diocese with credible allegations of sexual misconduct, leading to various criminal and civil legal actions. [1] Some them include:

A man publicly alleged that Fr. Alphonse Boardway had raped him when he was 16 years old. The victim reported the abuse to the Franciscans in 1985, receiving $650, and again in 1988 with little response. In 1992, he contacted the Diocese of Lansing and was referred to a diocesan lawyer, who stated that the statute of limitations had expired, preventing further action. Boardway was sent for treatment in the early 1990s, and in 1994, the victim settled with the Order for $107,860. At least one other individual has made allegations against Boardway. He was murdered in 1997 while living in Arizona.
Fr. Timothy M. Crowley was accused of sexually abusing a 10-year-old altar boy beginning in 1982, with the abuse reportedly continuing until 1990. The victim alleged that Crowley threatened to kill him if he disclosed the abuse. In 1993, following the victim’s report, Crowley was removed from his parish and sent for a two-year rehabilitation program. The diocese settled with the victim for $200,000. Crowley was laicized in 2015. After an investigation by the Michigan Attorney General, he was arrested and charged with eight counts of criminal sexual conduct. Although charges were initially dropped due to the statute of limitations, they were reinstated following an appeal. Crowley pleaded guilty and was sentenced to one year in jail, five years probation, and lifetime registration as a sex offender.
Fr. Vincent Anthony DeLorenzo admitted to inappropriate sexual contact with an 8-year-old boy, with the abuse continuing for five years. Despite this admission, the District Attorney’s office did not pursue prosecution at that time. Another individual alleged that DeLorenzo had abused him once when he was five years old. The prosecution did not proceed due to “unusual circumstances” requiring corroboration. Decades later, criminal charges were filed against DeLorenzo related to allegations of sexual abuse over five years, beginning when the victim was five or six years old. He was arrested and charged with multiple counts of criminal sexual conduct. He pleaded guilty to one count of attempted criminal sexual conduct in the first degree for sexually assaulting a five-year-old boy following a funeral service he officiated for the boy’s deceased family member. DeLorenzo was sentenced to one year in jail and five years of probation. He was also mandated to register as a sex offender for life and engage in sex offender counseling. DeLorenzo died while serving his sentence.
The Diocese of Lansing reached a settlement involving Fr. John Donald Slowey after a man claimed the priest had sexually abused him when he was 5 or 6 years old and residing at St. Vincent Home for Children. The diocese agreed to a settlement of $225,000 to cover “healing expenses” despite stating it could not verify the accusations. At the time, the diocese indicated this was the only allegation against Slowey. However, once the Diocese of Lansing released a list of credibly accused clergy, Fr. Slowey was included with multiple allegations against him. [2]

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

The Diocese of Lansing has faced criticism for mishandling sexual abuse allegations, often ignoring complaints or taking inadequate action. Accused clergy were frequently reassigned to other parishes without informing parishioners. The diocese also relied on confidential settlements to suppress public scrutiny, shielding abusers and the institution from accountability.

In response to mounting legal and public pressure, the diocese implemented reforms, including mandatory reporting, background checks, and abuse prevention training. While these measures signal progress, survivors and advocacy groups demand greater transparency, including full disclosure of abuse cases and independent oversight.

Legal Options for Survivors of Abuse Within the Diocese of Lansing

Survivors of sexual abuse in the Diocese of Lansing have both criminal and civil legal options. Criminal cases involve law enforcement prosecuting the accused clergy, potentially leading to penalties such as imprisonment. However, statutes of limitations often limit the ability to bring charges if the abuse occurred long ago.

Civil lawsuits, on the other hand, offer survivors more flexibility. Recent legal reforms in Michigan have extended or eliminated statutes of limitations for certain sexual assault cases, allowing survivors to seek compensation for emotional trauma, medical expenses, and other damages.

How Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers Can Help

Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers offers skilled legal representation for survivors of sexual abuse in the Diocese of Lansing. With extensive experience handling sensitive cases, our firm is dedicated to supporting survivors through every step of the legal process. We conduct thorough investigations, build strong cases, and fight for fair settlements or court verdicts.

We represent victims of clergy abuse within the:

Secure Expert Legal Counsel!

If you or a loved one has experienced sexual abuse in the Diocese of Lansing, help is available. Operating on a contingency fee basis, Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers ensures that survivors face no financial risk—legal fees are only collected if compensation is secured. Survivors can trust us to handle their cases with compassion, confidentiality, and a commitment to justice.

Call (888) 424-5757 or fill out our contact form to schedule a free consultation with a Catholic clergy abuse lawyer.

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.