Priest Who Served in 17 Detroit-area Communities Accused of Sexual Abuse Years after Death
By Khalil AlHajal
More than a decade after the death of a priest who worked in 17 Detroit-area communities over 40 years, the Archdiocese of Detroit has looked into a sexual abuse allegation against the clergyman and found it to be credible. The accusation of abusing a minor came years after Rev. David West died in 2004, according to the Archdiocese of Detroit. "The Archdiocese of Detroit places no deadlines or time limits on reporting the sexual abuse of minors by priests, deacons, and other personnel," the regional representative of the Catholic Church announced. The complaint was "brought forward to the Archdiocesan Board of Review, considered, and was found to be credible," the archdiocese announced. West was ordained in 1964 and served in various capacities in 17 different southeast Michigan communities. He was a pastor at Our Lady of Sorrows in Farmington; Our Lady Queen of Peace in Harper Woods; St. Anastasia in Troy; St. Andrew in Rochester; St. Dennis in Royal Oak; St. Joan of Arc in St. Clair Shores; St. Matthew in Detroit; Our Lady Star of the Sea in Grosse Pointe Woods; St. Agatha in Redford; St. James in Ferndale and St. Louise de Marillac in Warren. West was also an administrator at Our Lady of Mt. Carmel in Temperance; St. Aidan in Livonia; St. Basil the Great in Eastpointe; St. Joseph in Maybee; St. Mel in Dearborn Heights; St. Michael in Livonia and St. Victor in Rockwood. The priest was taught at Sacred Heart Seminary in Detroit, was a minister at Wayne State University and a chaplain at Bishop Gallagher High School in Harper Woods. The archdiocese said complaints of abuse can be reported to a victim assistance coordinator at 866-343-8055 or vac@aod.org. kalhajal@mlive.com
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