U.p. Priest Suspected of Sexual Abuse

Fox 11
September 23, 2014

http://fox11online.com/2014/09/23/u-p-priest-suspected-of-sexual-abuse/

Fr. James Menapace (Photo courtesy Catholic Diocese of Marquette)

A retired priest who worked in Upper Michigan is suspected of sexually abusing boys.

The Catholic Diocese of Marquette says the allegations against Fr. James Menapace, which it has deemed credible, stem from incidents in the late 1990s after Menapace had retired from active ministry.

The diocese says it has reported the allegations to local authorities. It has also removed Menapace from public priestly ministry and prohibited him from presenting himself as a priest.

Menapace was ordained in 1963 and retired in 1996. He worked at parishes in Marquette, Sault Ste. Marie, Brimley and Gulliver. Menapace also worked at Northern Michigan University and Lake Superior State College.

The diocese is asking any other victims to come forward and contact local authorities as well as one of the diocese’s victim’s assistance coordinators, Stephen Lynott at 1-844-495-4330 or Diane Tryan at 1-844-694-4362. Both numbers are toll-free.

To contact the diocese in writing, send a letter to:

Victim’s Assistance Coordinator

c/o Catholic Social Services of the U.P.

1100 Ludington St., Suite 401

Escanaba, MI 49829

The letter should be marked “Personal and Confidential” and indicate whether a response is desired by phone or by letter.