Statement Regarding Reverends Patrick Casey Lawrence Ventline and Neil Kalina PIME
The Michigan Attorney General on Friday announced criminal charges against Rev. Patrick Casey and Rev. Neil Kalina, PIME, as well as licensing action against Rev. Lawrence Ventline, priests who served in the Archdiocese of Detroit and previously had been removed from ministry. The Archdiocese of Detroit appreciates this update and offers the following information:
- The allegation against Rev. Patrick Casey (photo), a priest of the Archdiocese of Detroit, was brought to the Archdiocese in 2015. The complainant was an adult at the time of the alleged incident. We removed Casey from ministry at that time and entered into the canonical process appropriate for this allegation. That process remains ongoing and is pending in Rome. While restricted from ministry, Casey is prohibited from representing himself as a priest, wearing clerical attire or exercising any form of church ministry. The allegation was included in the material collected by the Attorney General’s Office in the fall of 2018.
- The allegation against Rev. Lawrence Ventline (photo), a priest of the Archdiocese of Detroit, was brought to the Archdiocese in 2016. Per our agreement with the six-county prosecutors in the Archdiocese, we turned over the complaint to the Oakland County Prosecutor’s Office. We were authorized by Oakland County to move forward with our canonical review and Ventline was restricted from public ministry at that time. Prior to his restriction from ministry, Ventline had not been assigned to full-time parish ministry for nearly 20 years. Since 2016, the Archdiocese of Detroit has worked with the Oakland County Sheriff’s Office, the local police department and the individual who reported abuse against Ventline. While restricted from ministry, Ventline is prohibited from representing himself as a priest, wearing clerical attire or exercising any form of church ministry. The Archdiocese had no authority to restrict his counseling license. The allegation was included in the material collected by the Attorney General’s Office in the fall of 2018.
- Rev. Neil Kalina, PIME was ordained in 1981 for the Pontifical Institute for Foreign Missions (PIME), which is a religious order that operates separately from the Archdiocese of Detroit. He left active ministry in 1993. The allegation against him was brought to the Archdiocese of Detroit in 2017. Per our agreement with the Macomb County Prosecutor’s Office, we turned over the complaint to the Shelby Township Police Department. In addition, we turned over the complaint to the PIME religious order. The allegation was included in the material collected by the Attorney General’s Office in the fall of 2018.
Questions about the allegations and investigation should be directed to the Attorney General’s Office. The Archdiocese of Detroit deeply regrets the pain inflicted upon victim-survivors, and offers continued prayers for their peace, healing and pursuit of justice. We continue to cooperate fully with all civil authorities, in the hope that these partnerships may pave the way toward a future of greater trust and transparency. One sinful, criminal act, especially against God’s most vulnerable and trusting children, is unacceptable and one suffering soul too many. We remain committed to preventing sexual abuse against anyone – especially children and vulnerable adults. 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. Editor’s Note: For additional information about how the Archdiocese of Detroit works to prevent and respond to sexual abuse of minors or vulnerable adults, please visit protect.aod.org. Parish assignment historiesFather Patrick Casey
- Ordained 1997
- Chaplain, Cardinal Mooney High School in Marine City, 1997-2000
- Parochial Vicar, St. Mary Queen of Creation Parish in New Baltimore, 1997-2000
- Administrator, St. Dominic Parish in Detroit, 2000-2004
- Administrator, St. Patrick Parish in Detroit, 2000-2004
- Administrator, St. Thomas a’Becket Parish in Canton, 2004-2004
- Pastor, St. Thomas a’Becket Parish in Canton, 2004-2012
- Pastor, St. Theodore of Canterbury Parish in Westland, 2012-2015
- Administrator, Divine Savior Parish in Westland, 2011-2015
- Pastor, St. Damian Parish in Westland, 2012-2015
Father Lawrence Ventline
- Ordained in 1976
- Parochial Vicar, St. Raymond Parish in Detroit, 1976-1979
- Parochial Vicar, St. Rene Goupil Parish in Sterling Heights, 1979-1981
- Pastor, St. Christine Parish, 1981-1985
- Parochial Vicar, Our Lady Queen of Peace Parish, 1985-1986
- Chaplain, Madonna University, 1986-1987
- Pastor, St. Joseph the Worker Parish in Lake Orion, 1987-1990
- Parochial Vicar, St. Anne Parish in Warren, 1992-1994
- Pastor, Our Lady of Sorrows Parish in Detroit, 1994-1995
- Administrator, St. Mark Parish in Harsens Island, 1996-1997
Father Neil Kalina, PIME
- Ordained in 1981
- Granted faculties 1984
- Resident at St. Kieran Parish in Utica, 1984-1986
- Weekend assistant at St. Ephrem Parish in Sterling Heights, 1984-1986
