Attorney general issues report on clergy abuse investigation in Diocese of Saginaw

Over 75 years, allegations were made against 37 priests and 1 deacon, with the vast majority before 2002; no charges filed

SAGINAW — The Michigan Attorney General’s office released its report June 25 detailing the findings of its investigation related to clerical sexual abuse in the Diocese of Saginaw, the sixth of seven such investigations into the handling of abuse in each of Michigan’s Catholic dioceses.

So far, reports have covered the dioceses of Marquette, Gaylord, Kalamazoo, Lansing and Grand Rapids. The final report is expected to cover the Archdiocese of Detroit.

According to the report, “all seven dioceses have cooperated with the AG’s investigation,” which began in 2018, including the Diocese of Saginaw. Representatives of the diocese have met regularly with members of the attorney general’s team throughout the course of the investigation.

The Saginaw report covers a period of more than 75 years, dating back to 1950, and involves both diocesan and religious order priests who have served in the diocese.

Watch: Bishop Gruss addresses media after release of attorney general's report

“We fully believe in greater accountability and transparency, which is essential in restoring the trust that has been broken resulting from the misconduct of a few,” Saginaw Bishop Robert D. Gruss said in a letter to the faithful in response to the report’s release.

Of the 680 priests who have served in the Diocese of Saginaw since 1950, the report found allegations of abuse against 37 priests and one deacon, involving a total of 104 victims. Of those accused of abuse, 30 are known or presumed to be deceased, and of the eight living clergy, “none are in active ministry,” Bishop Gruss said. 

A vast majority of the allegations occurred before 2002, the report states, when the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops first ratified the Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People, which standardized diocesan procedures related to the handling of sexual abuse and safe environment policies.

A chart shows the number of reported minor victims of clergy sexual abuse in the Diocese of Saginaw each decade from 1950 to 2026. (Courtesy of the Diocese of Saginaw)

No criminal charges were filed against priests in the Diocese of Saginaw as a result of the investigation, and “there is no indication that the Diocese has violated Michigan’s reporting obligations to report the sexual abuse of minors,” the report states.

Most of the allegations contained in the report concern allegations of misconduct occurring in the 1970s and 1980s.

“As Bishop of the Diocese of Saginaw, I want to express my deepest sorrows to those who have been victims of abuse by members of the clergy,” said Bishop Gruss, who was installed as bishop in 2019. “Please accept my sincere apology for the pain and suffering you have experienced by those who were entrusted with your care. I’m deeply saddened by it all. And, again, I apologize to you on behalf of the Church and our Diocese.”

Throughout the investigation, the attorney general’s tip line yielded 180 tips related to the Diocese of Saginaw, of which 115 were provided by the diocese itself. 

While the Church continues to express its sorrow for the sins of the past, “(i)t’s clear that the Catholic Church in the United States has made significant progress over the last 20-plus years in putting safeguards in place to protect children, young people and vulnerable adults,” Bishop Gruss said.

Every diocese in the United States is audited each year by a third-party firm hired by the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops to ensure compliance with the 2002 charter, including mandated safe environment training, background checks, and procedures related to the handling and investigation of sexual abuse claims.

Bishop Gruss said the Saginaw diocese has been found each year to be in compliance with the charter. Since 2020, the diocese has trained 5,174 people through VIRTUS’ Protecting God’s Children program. 

In addition, Bishop Gruss said the Diocesan Review Board, an independent consultative body that meets at least quarterly, reviews each allegation, as well as safe environment policies, to ensure they remain strong and effective.

“The bottom line is that we want every parish, school, and ministry to be places where everyone feels safe, respected, and loved,” Bishop Gruss said.

While much progress has been made, Bishop Gruss said the stain of abuse remains a “sad and tragic period in the life and history of the Church; many would say, the greatest scandal in the history of the American Catholic Church.”

Bishop Gruss said that while no words can make up for the pain of abuse, the Diocese of Saginaw remains committed to accompanying victim-survivors, whose courage in coming forth helps ensure such sins are not repeated.

He also encouraged those affected by abuse to contact the Attorney General’s tip line at (844) 324-3374, as well as the Diocese of Saginaw’s victim assistance coordinator, who is available to help survivors file a report or obtain support, at (989) 797-6682 or [email protected].

“Clearly, we are a different Church today because of those who have and continue to courageously share their stories, so that the sins and crimes which damaged the Body of Christ could be addressed. But we also mourn those who have been abused and have been driven from the Church because of what has happened to them. We continue to pray for their healing and return,” Bishop Gruss said.

“May the Lord Jesus heal the pain of those who have suffered, bring mercy to the sinner, strengthen all of us to walk together in faith and so reflect His life and love, thus bearing new life in our Church and in the world.”