Archdiocese of Detroit Offers Update on Michigan Attorney General Investigation

The Archdiocese of Detroit cooperated fully with law enforcement officials executing a search warrant for clergy files today, as part of the Attorney General investigation into the handling of clergy sexual abuse allegations in Michigan’s seven Catholic dioceses. Such search warrants are an expected part of this process. Officials arrived at the Chancery at around 9 a.m. and left shortly thereafter. We also granted access to files regarding clergy misconduct located in the Archdiocese’s Cardinal Mooney Building, on the seminary campus in Detroit, as well as the St. Joan of Arc Parish office of Monsignor Michael Bugarin, the Archbishop’s Delegate for Clergy Misconduct. As stated earlier, the Archdiocese of Detroit welcomes the Attorney General investigation as part of its continuing commitment to transparency and healing. We have worked closely with authorities from all six counties within our archdiocese since 2002, when we shared past case files involving clergy misconduct and committed to turning over all new allegations regardless of when the alleged abuse occurred. We remain committed to protecting everyone – especially children and vulnerable adults – and therefore look forward to working closely with officials to determine if there is more we can do to accomplish this goal. We encourage anyone who has been abused to contact civil authorities. Individuals may also call the Archdiocese’s Victim Assistance Line at (866) 343-8055 or visit protect.aod.org.