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Most of the allegations of sexual abuse by Upper Peninsula priests that turned up in a major state investigation will never be pursued.
Attorney General Dana Nessel released the first of seven reports on the statewide probe into the Catholic church yesterday. Report number one focused on the Marquette Diocese.
The report indicates that 44 priests under Diocesan supervision were accused of improprieties. However, 32 of those had died by the time the complaints were filed. The statute of limitations had expired on most of the other complaints.
Three priests who served in the U.P. have been convicted based on the investigation – Rev. Norbert LaCrosse of criminal sexual conduct involving a minor in 1991; Rev. Terrence Healy of second-degree criminal sexual conduct involving a minor in 1987; and Rev. Gary Jacobs of first- and second-degree criminal sexual conduct involving five victims in the 1980s.
An additional priest, Rev. Roy Joseph, has been charged with first-degree criminal sexual conduct. The state continues efforts to extradite him from India.
The Chippewa County prosecutor initiated charges against Rev. Aaron Nowick last year. He had already been removed from ministry.
Nessel credited the Marquette Diocese for its cooperation in the investigation. Bishop John Doerfler apologized to the victims…
The Bishop pledged continued efforts to help resolve the situation…
See his full video statement here:
See more about the Diocesan response, and ways to report abuse to church authorities, here.
The statewide investigation into the Catholic church was begun in 2018 by Attorney General Bill Schuette.
