Diocese of
Lansing, Michigan
The Diocese of Lansing (“the Diocese”), which was established in 1937, encompasses ten counties in southeastern Michigan. It consists of 95 parishes and 42 schools and serves a population of 232,818 registered Catholics with 76 deacons and 152 diocesan priests. The Most Reverend Carl F. Mengeling, who was installed as bishop in 1996, leads the Diocese. A compliance audit of the Diocese was conducted during the period of June 30–July 4, 2003.

The information set forth below represents conditions as they were found to exist during the week of the audit. Information regarding necessary corrective actions taken by the Diocese subsequent to the audit will be found in the last paragraph.

Findings

To Promote Healing and Reconciliation
The Diocese has established an outreach program. A Commendation was issued to the Diocese for its development of a two-day “Healing Retreat,” designed to help victims/survivors of sexual abuse with spiritual healing. The bishop and his designees have met or offered to meet with victims/survivors of abuse in the Diocese who have reported abuse since June 2002. The victim assistance coordinators are Msgr. Michael D. Murphy, moderator of the curia, and Msgr. Robert D. Lunsford, chancellor and administrative assistant. The diocesan review board, which succeeded the standing response committee, was established in 2003 and consists of eight members, including one priest and seven respected members of the lay community. Recommendations were made for the review board to establish formal procedures to document meetings and actions in support of the bishop and to consider inviting the diocesan promoter of justice to board meetings. The procedure for making a complaint of abuse is contained in the diocesan sexual misconduct policy brochure, but it was determined that parishioners are not widely aware of the procedures. A Recommendation was made for the Diocese to instruct pastors to make the policy brochure more readily available. There have been no confidentiality agreements entered into by the Diocese since June 2002, unless requested by victims/survivors.

To Guarantee Effective Response to Allegations of Abuse of a Minor
The Diocese has established effective liaison with local civil authorities, ensuring that an open dialogue regarding sexual abuse allegations will occur. The Diocese has a procedure in place to advise victims/survivors of their right to report allegations of abuse by a member of the clergy to civil authorities. The Diocese has established a clear and well-publicized code of conduct for priests and deacons. The Diocese has a communications policy that reflects the bishop’s pledge to be open and transparent on issues regarding the sexual abuse of children. A Commendation was issued for the excellence of efforts to ensure an open dialogue with the media, civil authorities, and members of the congregations.

To Ensure Accountability of Procedures
The Diocese has participated in the research study regarding the “nature and scope” of the problem of sexual abuse of minors by Catholic clergy.

To Protect the Faithful in the Future
The Diocese selected and was in the process of implementing the VIRTUS safe environment program, consisting of presentations to all diocesan and parish personnel who have regular contact with children. The Diocese has publicized standards of conduct for priests and deacons, as well as diocesan employees, volunteers, and any other church personnel in positions of trust who have regular contact with children and young people. The Diocese has had a long-standing practice of conducting background evaluations for all newly hired diocesan and parish personnel who have regular contact with minors. The Diocese has not transferred any priest or deacon who has had a credible allegation of sexual abuse lodged against him to a ministerial assignment in another diocese. In the cases of the three priests who have transferred to other dioceses for residence, the bishop of Lansing has notified the bishops of those dioceses, confidentially providing all information relating to allegations of sexual abuse of a child by the priests. The bishop, or his delegate, and the major superiors have coordinated their respective roles regarding issues of allegations of sexual abuse made against a cleric member of a religious institute. The Diocese has not had an opportunity to cooperate with other churches, religious bodies, and institutions of learning in conducting research in the area of sexual abuse of minors. The Diocese has established screening and evaluative techniques in the selection of candidates for ordination.

Compliance with the Provisions of the Charter

At the conclusion of this audit, the Diocese of Lansing was issued three Recommendations and two Commendations.

RECOMMENDATION 1—That the review board establish formal procedures by which it will document meetings, activities, and actions.

RECOMMENDATION 2—That the review board consider inviting the diocesan promoter of justice to participate in board meetings.

RECOMMENDATION 3—That a communication be directed to each pastor instructing that the sexual misconduct policy brochure be made more readily available.

COMMENDATION 1—For the establishment of a two-day “Healing Retreat,” designed to assist victims/survivors of sexual abuse in attaining spiritual healing.

RECOMMENDATION 2—For the excellence of efforts to ensure open and transparent communications with the media, the civil authorities, and the congregations on issues relating to the sexual abuse of minors.

As of December 1, 2003, all Recommendations had been addressed. The Diocese of Lansing is found to be compliant with the provisions of the Charter as measured by the process described in Chapter 2 of Section I.


The compliance audit measured activity that has occurred since the adoption of the Charter in June 2002 with the exception of certain mandated actions found in Articles 5 and 14. Actions taken by the diocese/eparchy prior to June 2002 to address allegations of sexual abuse of minors by priests and deacons are not included in this summary report.




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Office of Child and Youth Protection
United States Conference of Catholic Bishops
3211 4th Street, N.E., Washington, DC 20017-1194
(202) 541-5413 | FAX: (202) 541-5410
Email: ocyp@usccb.org