Intake and Investigations
Report
Individuals with knowledge of sexual abuse by clergy or other Church representatives are urged to contact local law enforcement and/or the Michigan Attorney General’s Office at (844) 324-3374 or aginvestigations@michigan.gov. Individuals also may contact the Archdiocese of Detroit by visiting protect.aod.org calling the toll-free, 24/7 victim assistance line at (866) 343-8055 or by emailing vac@aod.org. There are no time limits or restrictions on individuals wishing to report abuse.
Every complaint shared with the Archdiocese of Detroit, regardless of its source or the date of the alleged activity, is reported to civil authorities. No complaints are held back, pre-screened or disregarded.
The archdiocese fully cooperates with law enforcement. The canonical (Church) review process begins only when civil authorities have completed their investigation and/or have notified the archdiocese that it should proceed.
During any and all civil proceedings, accused priests, deacons and other Church leaders are responsible for their own legal expenses.
The Catholic Bishop Abuse Reporting Service (CBAR) has been established to receive reports of sexual abuse and related misconduct by bishops and to relay those reports to proper Church authorities for investigation. To make a report, visit ReportBishopAbuse.org or phone (800) 276-1562. When a report includes a crime, such as the sexual abuse of a minor, it will also be reported to civil authorities. Otherwise, reports will be kept confidential.
Review
The Archdiocese of Detroit places no deadlines or time limits when reviewing allegations of sexual abuse of minors by priests, deacons, and other personnel. Be it five, 15, or 50 years later, our diocese accepts and responds to all reports. Since 2002, every complaint of abuse has immediately been turned over to civil authorities, no matter how long ago the abuse occurred. Also that year, the archdiocese turned over to civil authorities its files relating to allegations of abuse from previous years.
Complaints also are considered by the Archdiocese of Detroit Review Board; however, this canonical (Church) review process begins only when civil authorities have completed their investigation and/or have notified the archdiocese that it should proceed.
When reviewing complaints, the Archdiocese of Detroit follows guidelines set by the U.S. Bishops to direct our policy on sexual abuse issues
Restrict
No priest or deacon with a credible complaint against him is allowed to continue in public ministry during the time his case is pending with Church or civil authorities.
The Archdiocese remains in contact with restricted priests and deacons to verify compliance with the strict limitations on their public ministry.
Notify
If an allegation against a priest or deacon is found to be credible, his name is posted on the archdiocesan website. The archdiocese has publicly posted the names of restricted and/or removed priests and deacons for more than 20 years. Current practice also includes notifying the parishes in which the clergy in question served, as well as local media.
Send to Vatican
If the Review Board finds a complaint credible, it sends notice to Archbishop Weisenburger, who forwards the case to the Vatican’s Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith (DDF), which reviews and renders judgments in all cases involving the sexual abuse of minors and vulnerable adults by clergy.
Following the Vatican’s review and judgment, an individual who was found guilty may receive a permanent penalty of living a life of prayer and penance or dismissal from the clerical state, also called laicization. In either case, he may no longer represent himself as a priest or deacon, can no longer wear clerical attire and may not publicly exercise any form of Church ministry.
