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	Priest Resigns in Sex-Abuse Case " I Cannot Express How Profoundly Sorry I Am for Any Anguish This Person Has Suffered from My Actions," Says the Rev. Ron Gronowski. Grand Rapid Press (Michigan) May 8, 2002 MANTON — A Roman Catholic priest has resigned as pastor of two northern Michigan parishes and has apologized for his role in a sexual misconduct case involving a teen-ager. On Tuesday, the Rev. Ron Gronowski resigned as pastor at the parishes of St. Stephen and St. Theresa in Manton. He quit because of a 1995 allegation of sexual misconduct during the 1970s, the Diocese of Gaylord said. "I cannot express how profoundly sorry I am for any anguish this person has suffered from my actions," Gronowski said in a letter to parishioners announcing his resignation. "Nor can words share the depth of my sadness and grief for any embarrassment and pain caused to my own family, my brother priests, the diocese and our beloved Catholic Church." Gaylord Bishop Patrick Cooney said that he believed Gronowski was "sincerely remorseful and ... genuinely wants to spare anyone any further pain." "We did agree that his resignation from parish ministry was in the best interest of everyone involved," Cooney said. The age and sex of the teen-ager were not reported. Wexford County Prosecutor William Fagerman said today that he had not received any report on the case. Gronowski never was a priest in the Grand Rapids diocese, spokeswoman Mary Haarman said. Since Jan. 1, at least 13 Catholic priests in Michigan were removed or have left parishes amid abuse allegations. At least seven cases involved a minor.
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