Diocese of Lansing MI

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Terry McKiernan February 26, 2021

28 Accused in This Diocese

Fr. Joseph Emile Aubin

Ordained: 1961
Status: Accused

Died: 04/15/2020
Diocese: Diocese of Lansing MI

The diocese announced 11/15/2018 Aubin's removal from public ministry due to a credible allegation of inappropriate sexual behavior with a minor dating to the 1960s. On the diocese's list 9/27/2019. Died 4/15/2020.

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Fr. James B. Bettendorf

Ordained: 1959
Status: Accused

Died: 07/25/2012
Diocese: Diocese of Lansing MI

In 12/2017 a woman reported to Bishop Boyea that Bettendorf sexually abused abused her sister in the 1950s, when the sister was a student at St. Michael High School in Flint MI. The woman said that her sister disappeared after high school for many years; she found her with the help of a private detective when their mother was ill. The sister confided that during high school she told their mother of the abuse, and the mother - who was a parish employee and "worshipped" the priests - didn't believe her and said if it did happen it was because she came onto the priest. The sister left after their dad died, with whom she was very close. She said Bettendorf stalked her while she was in college. In 12/2017 the alleged victim was terminally ill. She died in 2018. Bettendorf died in 2012.

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Fr. John Andrew Blasko

Ordained: 1933
Status: Accused

Died: 01/29/1960
Diocese: Diocese of Lansing MI

Per the MI Attorney General's 12.16.2024 Diocese of Lansing report, in 9/2000 a man reported to the Diocese that Blasko sexually abused him when he was age 17 in the early 1960s. The man said the abuse occurred at Blasko's cabin, that five other youths were with them, and that they "got nude and drank." While the boys were drunk in the river Blasko allegedly shot a BB gun at them. He confronted Blasko at the rectory a few days later, and Blasko is said to have told him that the real problem was the alcohol, and "never get drunk because you'll do the same thing." The man said that Blasko helped him get into a Wauwasee seminary. The man again contacted the Diocese in 2012, alleging the abuse at the camp by Blasko occurred while he was at Holy Redeemer Parish in Flint in 1957 and that Fr. Pat Atkins (a Crosier priest) abused him at the seminary at age 21 in 1961. He told his parents, who told a social worker who referred him to a psychologist and next a psychiatrist. None of them believed him and he was subjected to shock and hydro treatments, which led to cognitive deficits. The man died in July 2014, having been waiting for Bishop Earl Boyea's availability to meet with him, as promised by the Diocese. The Diocese paid his funeral expenses.

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Fr. Alphonse Boardway

Order: OFM
Ordained: 1967
Status: Settled

Died: 09/23/1997
Diocese: Diocese of Lansing MI

In 2002 a man alleged publicly that he was raped by Boardway at age 16 in 1968. Boardway was close friends with the boy's parents and the alleged abuse occurred when Boardway slept over at their house, in the boy's bed. Boardway is said to have gotten the boy drunk prior to raping him. He said he told his parents immediately and they told him to "shut up and not talk about it." He said he told the Franciscans in 1977, and "kept getting stalled"; in 1980 they sent him $500. 1985 they they sent him $650. He contacted them again in 1988, with little response. In 1992 he contacted the Diocese of Lansing and was referred to a diocesan lawyer, who said the statute of limitations had expired so nothing could be done. The Order said there was no record of the man's contact with the lawyer. Boardway was sent by his Order in the early 1990s to treatment. His accuser settled with the Order in 1994 for $107.8K. Boardway also worked in TX, IN, IL, WI, NE. and NM. There is at least one other alleged victim. Boardway was murdered in 1997 while living in AZ. Included on the Lubbock diocese's list 1/31/2019; noted to have worked there 1987 until 1989, when he was removed from ministry. Included on the Las Cruces diocese's list 6/24/2019, where he worked in 1989. On Lansing's list 9/27/2019. Included in the MI Attorney General's Diocese of Lansing Report in 12/2024.

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Fr. Francis Gerald Boyer

Donate Photo

Ordained: 1952
Status: Accused

Died: 07/18/1973
Diocese: Diocese of Lansing MI

In 9/2003 a man accused Boyer of raping him in 1961 at age 12, when he was an altar boy and helped at weekday mass. Boyer allegedly asked the boy to stay to talk, then raped him. He told his parents who asked him to keep the matter quiet. Per the man, Boyer shot and killed himself in about 1973. The 1974 Official Catholic Directory shows that Boyer was retired when he died 7/18/1973 at age 57. His obituary states that he died "after a long illness." Included in the MI Attorney General's 12/2024 Lansing Diocese report.

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Fr. Thomas W. Butler

Ordained: 1982
Status: Accused

Died: 05/3/2018
Diocese: Diocese of Lansing MI

Accused in 12/2012 by a man of sexually abusing him when he was ages 16-17 from 1978-1980. Butler admitted to a sexual relationship with the accuser when he was an adult, during 1983-1985. Butler was sent at that time to treatment. Bishop Boyea decided that the allegation that the man was sexually abused by Butler as a minor was false. Butler was kept in ministry. He died in 5/2018. Included in the MI Attorney General's 12/2024 Diocese of Lansing report.

Sources:

MI A.G. Diocese of Lansing Report 12.16.24

Br. Joseph Alfonse Comperchio

Order: CSC
Status: Guilty plea

Died: 06/2/2022
Diocese: Diocese of Lansing MI

Reportedly was a Holy Cross Brother at Notre Dame, South Bend IN for one year. Continued to use the name "Brother Joe" as a Catholic school teacher after leaving the order. In 1/2019 the Lansing Diocese received an allegation that Comperchio had sexually abused a 3rd- to 6th-grade boy at St. John the Evangelist School in Jackson MI in 1973-1976. Comperchio's accuser said he saw Comperchio sexually assaulting four other boys while in fifth grade. He said that when he was 21 he reported the abuse to a priest at St. Johns, but no action. In 12/2019 police were told by a man that he was sexually abused by Comperchio in 1977 as a St. John's 6th-grader. He said he believed that Comperchio also sexually abused his friend. The man also told investigators that he confronted Comperchio as an adult in 2000, while on a business trip to Boston, and Comperchio apologized. Comperchio had moved to Boston MA in the late 1970s or early 1980s, after which he relocated to Ft. Meyers, FL; he taught there at a private school. In 2/2020 an investigator interviewed a man the Diocese said may have been a victim; the man acknowledged that he was abused. In 2/2020 a woman told police that Comperchio touched her breast in a St. John's bathroom when she was a young student there. A classmate witness to the incident said he touched her also, all over, when instructing her to do a "banana dance" during class. (He was a drama teacher.) Comperchio was arrested 9/14/2020 in Fort Myers. He admitted to the abuse and was extradited to MI. Pleaded guilty in 6/2021. Sentenced in 8/2021 to 10-20 years in prison and to register as a sex offender. He died 6/2/2022.

Sources:

MI A.G. Diocese of Lansing Report 12.16.24

Deacon James E. Corder

Status: Accused

Diocese: Diocese of Lansing MI

Ordained for the permanent diaconate in 2000. Diocesan Director of Youth Ministry 1997-2001, coordinator for youth ministry at Holy Redeemer 2001-2007, pastoral associate for St. Gerard in Lansing 2007-present (2024). In a 1993 affidavit regarding his sexual abuse by Fr. Timothy Crowley 1982-1990, beginning at age 10, a man also alleged attempted sexual abuse by Corder, while Crowley held him down. Bishop Povich did not believe the allegations; Corder and Crowley denied them. In 2007 the Diocese deemed the allegations against Crowley credible; those against Corder were deemed not credible. (Crowley pleaded guilty in 2023 to sexually abusing this accuser.) In 10/2019 testimony related to the charges against Crowley, the accuser reiterated his allegations against Corder. He said he was 17- or 18-years old at the time. Corder was removed from ministry pending an investigation. He again denied the allegation and passed a lie detector test. There were no criminal charges due to the statute of limitations. He was returned to ministry after the Diocese's Review Board determined in 2/2020 that there was no new information that would lead to overturning Bishop Povish's 1993 decision.

Sources:

MI A.G. Diocese of Lansing Report 12.16.24

Fr. Kenneth F. Coughlin

Ordained: 1990
Status: Accused

Diocese: Diocese of Lansing MI

Removed in 5/2014 from Church of the Holy Family in Grand Blanc MI after allegations he had inappropriately touched the hands and legs of two students. Coughlin denied the allegations. Investigation by MI CPS. Matter turned over to Grand Jury. Went on leave of absence, entered treatment/evaluation at the bishop's request. In 10/2014 the county prosecutor said there was no basis for criminal charges; the Diocese announced that Coughlin would remain on administrative leave. In 11/2023 he is shown on the Diocesan website as pastor of a Clio parish.

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Fr. Timothy M. Crowley

Ordained: 1976
Status: Guilty plea

Diocese: Diocese of Lansing MI

Ordained in 1976 for the Holy Ghost Fathers. Incardinated in 1982 into the Diocese of Lansing. Accused of sexually abusing an altar boy, age 10, beginning in 1982 and continuing until 1990. Allegedly threatened to kill the boy if he told. Removed from his Lansing parish in 1993. The Diocese settled with the victim in 1993 for $200K. Sent to rehab for two years. Allowed in 1995 to work in Anchorage, AK with full approval of Archbishop Hurley. Removed in 2002 after the Dallas Bishops Conference. Criminal charges considered in 2003 in MI, but not filed. Laicized in 2015. After a MI A.G. investigation, arrested in 5/2018 in Tempe, AZ. Charged with eight counts of criminal sexual conduct. Charges were dropped in 10/2019 due to the statute of limitations. On the Lansing diocese's list 9/27/2019. On the Anchorage archdiocese's list 1/16/2020. Criminal charges were reinstated in 2022 after the MI A.G. filed an appeal. Pleaded guilty in 9/2023. Sentenced in 11/2023 to one year in jail, five years' probation and to register as a sex offender for life. Included in the MI A.G.'s 12/16/2024 Diocese of Lansing Report.

Assignments:

Archdiocese of Anchorage List 01.16.20

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Fr. Vincent Anthony DeLorenzo

Ordained: 1965
Status: Guilty plea

Died: 01/26/2024
Diocese: Diocese of Lansing MI

Resigned in 1/2002. Admitted in 3/2002 to inappropriate sexual contact in the late 1970s with an 8-year-old boy, continuing for 5 years. Sent to treatment. D.A. office did not prosecute. In 2/2004 another man alleged abuse at age 5 once in 1987. Reported to the Diocese in 11/2003. No prosecution at the time, due to "unusual circumstances" that required corroboration to prove the case. Possibly working in a secular job in Hollywood, FL as of 1/2012. Eight known accusers as of 5/2019. Criminal charges filed 5/23/2019 related to allegations of sexual abuse over 5 years of a boy in Burton, beginning when the boy was age 5 or 6 in 1995. The boy was a student at Holy Redeemer Parish School in Burton, where DeLorenzo was pastor 1988-2002. Arrested in Marion County FL in 2019, charge with the sexual assault in 1987 of a 5-year-old boy after presiding at a funeral for the boy's family member. Included on the Lansing Diocese's list 9/27/2019. Laicization pending. Pleaded guilty in 4/2023, in exchange for the dropping of the 5/2019 charges of child sexual assault 1995-2000. Sentenced in 6/2023 to five years' probation, the first year in jail, and mandated to register as a sex offender for life. Died 1/26/2024.

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Fr. Patrick W. Egan

Ordained: 1968
Status: Accused

Diocese: Diocese of Lansing MI

From the Diocese of Westminster, England, where he was ordained in 1966. Arrived in the Diocese of Lansing in 1982, where he worked for many years. Egan is the subject of multiple allegations of sexual harassment, sexual abuse and improper sexual contact. Per the MI Attorney General's Report in 12/2024, the abuse would occur under the guise of boxing, whereby Egan would allegedly have young men and teenagers hit him in the lower stomach, causing his arousal. He also engaged in the tapping of testicles, or "nut drills." An allegation in the early 1990s received by the Diocese was not investigated until the case was reopened in 2003. Egan's alleged victim was age 25 at the time of the incidents. Egan was restricted from ministry in the Lansing diocese and, in 3/2019, his faculties were revoked after additional allegations. Investigators hired by the Diocese in 2019 determined that none of Egan's accusers were minors at the time of the alleged abuse. However, in 7/2003 a man had reported to MI State Police that Egan sexually assaulted him repeatedly in 1987, when he was age 17. No charges, due to the statute of limitations. In 2021 the Diocese received a report from a man alleging sexual abuse by Egan during 2005-2009, when the man was ages 14-18, during boxing club at school. The man did not want to prosecute. The allegation was found credible by the Diocese in 10/2023 and Egan's name was added to its list of credibly accused.

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Fr. Alexander Thomas Fitzgerald

Donate Photo

Ordained: 1942
Status: Accused

Died: 07/5/1996
Diocese: Diocese of Lansing MI

Named publicly by the Diocese 7/13/2020 on its list of those with credible allegations against them. Died 7/5/1996. Included in the MI Attorney General's 12/16/2024 Diocese of Lansing Report, which notes that in 1991 the Diocese received a report that Fitzgerald sexually abused her over 6 years from 1966-1972 at her home in Howell, MI.

Assignments:

Diocese of Lansing List 07.13.20

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Br. Jeffrey Gregory

Donate Photo

Order: FSC
Status: Settled

Died: 11/20/2004
Diocese: Diocese of Lansing MI

Also known as Br. Jeffrey Berta or Br. Raymond Charles Berta. Made perpetual vows in 1965. Taught in MO, IL, MI. Moved to CA in 1978. Longtime teacher at St. Mary's College in Moraga, CA. Accused in 1994 of sexually abusing a male student at Msgr. Gabriels High School in Lansing MI in 1964 and 1965. The alleged victim settled with the De La Salle Christian Brothers in 1995 for $10K in psychiatric care. The Lansing diocese was not involved in the settlement. The man contacted the Diocese again in 6/2002, repeating the previous allegation and adding that Fr. James Sullivan (later bishop of Fargo ND) also sexually abused him when he was 16-17 years old in 1966 or 1967. (Sullivan is the subject of another allegation that emerged and was deemed credible after his death in 2006). In 2002 Gregory was living in a CA nursing home. Police were notified in 2002 but no charges were filed, due to the statute of limitations. Gregory died 11/20/2004 at the order's retirement facility in Napa CA.

Assignments:

St. Mary’s College of CA Obituary 10.26.07

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Fr. Paul James Guoan

Donate Photo

Ordained: 1987
Status: Accused

Diocese: Diocese of Lansing MI

Named publicly as credibly accused by the diocese on its list 9/27/2019. Multiple allegations. Removed from ministry 3/11/2002. Laicized 6/26/2015.

Sources:

Diocese of Lansing List 09.27.19

Fr. Michael Robert Kelly

Donate Photo

Ordained: 1976
Status: Accused

Diocese: Diocese of Lansing MI

Named publicly as credibly accused by the diocese on its list 9/27/2019. Left active ministry 12/1/1983. Laicized 2/9/1992.

Sources:

Diocese of Lansing List 09.27.19

Fr. James William Lee, Jr.

Ordained: 1948
Status: Accused

Died: 01/25/1992
Diocese: Diocese of Lansing MI

Named publicly as credibly accused by the Diocese on its list 9/27/2019. Multiple allegations. Died 1/25/1992.

Sources:

Diocese of Lansing List 09.27.19

Fr. Marian John Lesniak

Ordained: 1950
Status: Accused

Died: 10/9/2011
Diocese: Diocese of Lansing MI

Named publicly as credibly accused by the diocese on its list 9/27/2019. Pastor of St. Joseph's in Jackson for 39 years. Died 10/9/2011.

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Fr. Richard Lobert

Ordained: 1975
Status: Sued

Diocese: Diocese of Lansing MI

Accused in a lawsuit filed in 4/2021 of sexually abusing a boy in 1999 at W.J. Maxey Boys Training School in Whitmore Lake. The MI statute of limitations was possibly prohibitive; in 12/2023 it was announced that the case was to be heard by the MI Supreme Court. The man was also attempting to sue the Archdiocese of Baltimore and Lobert.

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Fr. Shaun D. Lowery

Ordained: 2009
Status: Accused

Diocese: Diocese of Lansing MI

Pastor of St. Mary Magdalen in Brighton Township when placed on leave in 3/2021 pending an investigation by the MI Attorney General. In 5/2021 the Diocese announced that the A.G. decided not to file charges; the A.G.'s office stated "no criminal charges is not equivalent to exoneration." The Diocese announced in 10/2022 that its internal investigation found that the allegations were credible. Lowery had admitted to a sexual encounter with a boy, age 16, that he met via the app Grindr, but said he was unaware that the boy was underage. Lowery requested laicization.

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Fr. John Edward Martin

Ordained: 1918
Status: Accused

Died: 11/9/1968
Diocese: Diocese of Lansing MI

In 6/2010 two men reported to the Diocese abuse as minors by Martin. Notices were placed in two church bulletins; four more accusers came forward. All alleged abuse in the 1950s-early 1960s. Pastor of St. Mary's in Morrice, then St. Isidore's in Laingsburg 1941-1966. Retired in 1966 when church burned down. Died in 1968. On the diocese's list of credibly accused clerics 9/27/2019. On Detroit archdiocese's list 6/10/2019, which notes that he had been removed from public ministry.

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Fr. Joseph McHugh

Order: CSSp
Ordained: 1958
Status: Accused

Died: 09/25/2007
Diocese: Diocese of Lansing MI

Named publicly as credibly accused by the Lansing diocese on its list 9/27/2019. Member of the Spiritans Irish Province. Worked in Lansing 1974-1976, during which time he allegedly abused. Multiple allegations. Died 9/25/2007.

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Fr. James M. Novak

Donate Photo

Ordained: 1957
Status: Accused

Diocese: Diocese of Lansing MI

Per a news article 8/24/2010, accused of abuse and permanently removed from ministry; no dates given. Included on the Lansing diocese's list of credibly accused 9/27/2019. Multiple allegations. Noted to have been removed from ministry 11/25/2002. Laicization pending.

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Fr. John Donald Slowey

Ordained: 1940
Status: Settled

Died: 01/13/1983
Diocese: Diocese of Lansing MI

Attorney for one man announced 8/24/2010 that he had settled a claim against Slowey and the diocese for $225K. The abuse allegedly took place when plaintiff was age 5-6 and lived at St. Vincent Home for Children in the mid-1950s. Diocese said this was only allegation against Slowey. It also said it could not verify the accusations but settled to cover "healing expenses." On the diocese's list of credibly accused 9/27/2019, which notes multiple allegations. Died 1/13/1983.

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Bishop James S. Sullivan

Ordained: 1955
Status: Accused

Died: 06/12/2006
Diocese: Diocese of Lansing MI

Auxiliary bishop of Lansing 1972-1985. Bishop of Fargo 1985 until his resignation 3/18/2002 due to Alzheimer's Disease. Accused in 6/2002 of fondling a boy in 1966 at St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church in East Lansing MI. The same plaintiff settled with the Christian Brothers in 1995 over abuse allegations against Br. Jeffrey Gregory. Sullivan denied the charges. The diocese said it did not believe the allegations because the man didn't come forward sooner. Sullivan died 6/12/2006. On 7/2/2021 the Diocese of Lansing announced that it had deemed credible allegations against Sullivan that he abused two boys, one ages 12-14 and the other ages 11- 12, in the mid-1960s. The abuse took place at Church of the Resurrection in Lansing, where Sullivan was assigned.

Assignments:

BA.org Assignment Record

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Fr. Edgar Szymanski

Order: CSC
Ordained: 1943
Status: Accused

Died: 12/8/1998
Diocese: Diocese of Lansing MI

Named publicly as accused by his order on its list 6/12/2019. It notes multiple allegations received in 1999 and 2018 of abuse in the 1940s and 1950s in MI. Died 12/8/1998. Per his obituary, Szymanksi was chaplain at Boysville in Clinton, MI 1951-1959.

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Fr. Chester Vincent Tomaszewski

Ordained: 1959
Status: Accused

Died: 10/21/1987
Diocese: Diocese of Lansing MI

Named publicly as credibly accused by the diocese on its list 9/27/2019. Went on sick leave 1/15/1987. Died 10/21/1987.

Sources:

Diocese of Lansing List 09.27.19

Fr. Darius W. Wyszynski

Ordained: 1958
Status: Accused

Died: 02/17/2013
Diocese: Diocese of Lansing MI

Ordained for the Assumption BVM Province, WI. Incardinated into the Diocese of Lansing in 1970. Died 2/17/2013. Named publicly as credibly accused by the diocese on its list 9/27/2019.

Sources:

Diocese of Lansing List 09.27.19

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