Diocese of Lansing MI

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Terry McKiernan February 26, 2021

23 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. 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. He said he told the Franciscans in 1985, and that 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. On the Las Cruces diocese's list 6/24/2019, where he worked in 1989. On Lansing's list 9/27/2019.

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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. Per the 1974 Official Catholic Directory, Boyer was retired when he died 7/18/1973 at age 57.

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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.

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. 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. Worked for many years in the Diocese of Lansing. Egan is the subject of multiple allegations of sexual harassment, sexual abuse and improper sexual contact. 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 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.

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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.

Assignments:

Diocese of Lansing List 07.13.20

Sources:

Diocese of Lansing List 07.13.20

Br. Jeffrey Gregory

Donate Photo

Order: FSC
Status: Settled

Diocese: Diocese of Lansing MI

Accused of performing oral sex on a 16-year-old altar boy in 1966. 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. 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.

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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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