Fr. Joseph McHugh
Named publicly as credibly accused by the Lansing diocese on its list 9/27/2019. Member of the Spiritans’ (Holy Ghost Fathers) Irish Province. Worked in Lansing 1974-1976. Multiple allegations. Died 9/25/2007. Included in the MI Attorney General’s 12/16/2024 Diocese of Lansing Report, which reveals allegations by three different women of sexual abuse as children by McHugh. One reported in 2011 that McHugh abused her at age 11 or 12 at St. Gerard Parish, grabbing her, rubbing against her, and forcing her to perform oral sex on him. The woman received a $35K settlement. In 10/2018 a woman alleged that McHugh abused her, including rape, 1975-1978, beginning when she was age 16. She said the abuse occurred at St. Gerard’s, at St. Mary Cathedral, in her home, at a cottage, and in a car. In 10/2019 a woman told the Diocese that McHugh touched and kissed her 1968-1973, when she was ages 13-18.
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