Statement regarding Joe Sturza

The Archdiocese of Detroit has been informed of the arrest of Mr. Joe Sturza, who was employed as director of admissions at Austin Catholic High School in Macomb Township and as youth minister at St. Isidore Parish in Macomb Township. The Archdiocese was recently made aware of alleged inappropriate communications between Mr. Sturza and a minor. The information was immediately shared with the Macomb County Sheriff’s Department. Mr. Sturza is no longer employed by the school or parish. The Archdiocese of Detroit is fully cooperating with law enforcement authorities. Due to the ongoing law enforcement and legal processes, we are unable to give further details about the matter at this time.

Families at Austin Catholic High School and St. Isidore are being informed of this situation. Mr. Sturza had been employed at the high school since October 2012 and part-time at the parish since this past summer. Also being informed are the communities of St. Francis of Assisi-St. Maximilian Kolbe Parish in New Haven, where Mr. Sturza volunteered between 2006 and 2008, and worked as a youth minister from the fall of 2008 until the summer of 2014; and St. Mary Mystical Rose Parish in Armada, where Mr. Sturza worked as a youth minister from July 2011 until June 2014.

To report matters of inappropriate contact between an adult and a minor, individuals are encouraged to contact local law enforcement. Individuals also may report matters by calling the Archdiocese of Detroit’s victim assistance line at 866-343-8055.

The Detroit Archdiocese takes with extreme seriousness any issue involving the safety and well-being of young people. We ask that the faithful keep everyone involved in their prayers.

Link: Macomb County Sheriff’s News Release on the Arrest of Mr. Sturza