Detroit Archbishop says he will work 'immediately' on abuse accountability for bishops

Niraj Warikoo
Detroit Free Press

Archbishop of Detroit Allen Vigneron said that Catholic leaders in Michigan "will begin work immediately" to implement a series of measures for accountability of bishops on sexual abuse cases that was approved Thursday by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) at their annual meeting. 

In Baltimore, the bishops approved this week three measures that were in line with guidelines issued by Pope Francis in May that called for more responsibility among Catholic bishops in responding to sexual abuse by clergy and to stop shielding abusers. Critics have raised concerns about some bishops in the U.S. covering up sexual abuse by clergy. 

The Catholic bishops, which included Vigneron, voted for a third-party reporting system allowing people to make confidential reports and a new oversight model where metropolitan bishops — such as Vigneron — have more responsibility over other bishops.

The bishops also voted to "restrict the ministry of retired bishops accused of sexual abuse or negligence," said the Archdiocese of Detroit.

Archbishop Allen Vigneron speaks during the Beatification of Father Solanus Casey at Ford Field in Detroit on Saturday November 18, 2017.

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In addition to leading the Archdiocese of Detroit in southeastern Michigan, Vigneron is the metropolitan archbishop of the Province of Michigan, which includes the seven Catholic dioceses that make up the state of Michigan.

"We will begin work immediately in the Archdiocese of Detroit to finalize and begin implementing these procedures," Vigneron said Thursday in a statement. "As this process unfolds, I want to emphasize to the priests and people of southeast Michigan that they do not have to wait to bring forward an allegation against any bishop, priest, deacon or Church leader."

The bishops' meeting was held as a growing number of state officials — including in Michigan — are launching investigations into abuse by clergy. Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel recently announced criminal charges against five Catholic priests. 

And earlier this week, SNAP (Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests), criticized the Archdiocese of Detroit for not doing enough to publicly list the names of priests accused of sexual abuse.

Vigneron praised the measures passed this week by the USCCB.

"This series of procedures is a major step in our work to establish clear protocols for the reporting and processing of accusations against bishops who abuse children and vulnerable adults or who shield abusers," he said. "As metropolitan archbishop of the Province of Michigan — the seven Catholic dioceses in the state — I am committed to implementing a process rooted in transparency and accountability for all. The faithful deserve nothing less. Most gratifying to me is the call to include lay people in this important work. That is absolutely essential."

Contact Niraj Warikoo:nwarikoo@freepress.com, 313-223-4792, Twitter @nwarikoo

To file a complaint

The Attorney General's tip line is  844-324-3374 from 8 a.m.-5 p.m., Monday-Friday or send information by email to aginvestigations@michigan.gov or visit mi.gov/clergyabuse to file a complaint or report a tip. You can submit tips anonymously if you want.

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.

The Archdiocese says that people with complaints about a bishop may contact Archbishop Vigneron’s office at 313-237-5816 or the Holy See’s embassy in the United States, the Apostolic Nunciature in Washington, D.C. at 202-333-7121 or nuntiususa@nuntiususa.org