Statement by the Pastor on the updated list of priests against whom there has been credible allegations of abuse of a minor.Read More
On Friday, Sept. 27, the Diocese of Lansing published an updated list of all priests against whom there has been a credible allegation of sexual abuse of a minor.
Currently, there are 17 priests on this list: 13 diocesan priests, 1 from another diocese and 3 from religious orders. Of these 8 priests are currently living- all removed from ministry and 9 are deceased.
This updated list covers all the years since the Diocese was established in 1937 and represents 2.8% of the total clergy who have ministered in our diocese.
Once again we have been reminded of the pain and suffering that has been caused by these deeply sinful and criminal acts. We continue to grieve and yes, be angry, at how the acts of a few have injured and destroyed the lives of so many people and caused untold damage to many others.
We grieve too at the damage that has been done to our Church and how the work of the Gospel has been hindered by this scandal and our handling of it.
As this updated list is published, it offers us here at St. Francis of Assisi Parish an opportunity to re-commit ourselves to the protection and safety of all our children and to ensure that we have in place all the necessary protections and safeguards for all who come to our community.
Please be assured that your children are safe here at St. Francis and that as a Pastoral Team and School Faculty we work hard to ensure that all the protections and safeguards required by the 2002 Dallas Charter for the Protection of Minors including background checks and Virtus training programs for all those involved in ministry- lay and clerical, paid or volunteer- are enforced and followed.
As a Diocese and a parish we will continue to pray for all victims of sexual abuse and stand ready to help where possible in finding healing and care for those who have been injured.
If you or some one you know has been hurt by clerical sexual abuse, please contact the Diocesan Victim Assistance Coordinator at (888) 308-6252 or email: vac@dioceseoflansing.org.
For further details on this updated list, please see the diocesan news release here.
Once again as your pastor and fellow parishioner, please be assured that the protection of all our children continues to be of the highest priority for me and our Parish Pastoral Team.
As we begin to celebrate our patron, St. Francis, we pray that through his intercession there will be healing and justice for all those who have been hurt and rebuilding for God’s holy Church.
Fr. James Conlon
Pastor
Follow the progress of our New Ministry Center!
“I will be their God, and they shall be my people. (Jer 31:33)” At St. Francis all we do by way of worship, education and outreach, reflects this holy dignity as God’s people. Our plans to build a new Ministry Center will enhance our endeavors to build God’s kingdom in Ann Arbor.
PROGRESS UPDATE: Schematic Design is Done… What’s Next? We are still looking to begin construction as early as Fall 2020, with completion by Easter 2022. To follow our progress, please click here.
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