AG investigating sexual abuse, cover up by Catholic priests in state from 1950 to present

LANSING - The Michigan Attorney General's Office is investigating sexual abuse by Catholic priests in the state dating back to 1950.

The investigation, which began in August, will look at "alleged sexual abuse and assault of children and others by Catholic priests from 1950 to the present for all seven Catholic dioceses in Michigan," according to an AG's Office response to a public records request from a media outlet.

"In addition, the investigation includes religious order priests who have worked in Michigan. The investigation will also include any allegations related to the cover up of sexual abuse or assault."

Andrea Bitely, a spokeswoman for the AG's Office, declined to comment due to the ongoing investigation.

In August, the Pennsylvania Attorney General's Office released a grand jury report that detailed sexual abuse there.

The grand jury report said that church leaders protected more than 300 "predator priests" in six Roman Catholic dioceses across Pennsylvania for decades because they were more interested in safeguarding the church and the abusers than tending to their victims.

More than 1,000 young victims were identifiable from the church's own records, according to the report.

Earlier this month, the Diocese of Lansing said it plans to release the names of priests and other religious leaders who sexually abused children.

Bishop Earl Boyea, in a statement on the diocese's website, also said he planned to invite an external agency to review how sexual abuse allegations were handled and will publish the names of clerics who sexually abused children in the diocese. The report will be made public, he added. 

In a statement posted on its website Friday, the Lansing Diocese said it welcomes the investigation.

"We are confident in our processes. We have and will continue to reach out to law enforcement with these matters," the statement reads. "...We know of no one active in ministry in our diocese who has abused a child. The last known event of abuse occurred prior to 2002. It is important that anyone committing these crimes is brought to justice." 

Between 1950 and 2002, the Diocese of Lansing paid $473,533 in compensation and therapeutic care to sexual abuse victims and their families, according to a 2004 statement from then-Bishop Carl F. Mengeling. 

The Diocese of Grand Rapids released a statement on Friday as well, saying it welcomed the investigation and will "fully cooperate."

"We welcome them to join us in our efforts of inviting survivors to come forward, a practice that has been in place since 2002," the statement read. "We believe this investigation will help to restore the trust of Catholics throughout our 11 counties."

The Michigan AG's Office has set up a tip line for anyone who wants to report information about sexual abuse or cover up within the Catholic church. The number is 844-324-3374. Information can also be submitted online here. 

Contact Matt Mencarini at (517) 267-1347 or mmencarini@lsj.com. Follow him on Twitter @MattMencarini.