At least 454 priests accused: Michigan reveals 'startling' clergy abuse report

By Tresa Baldas
Detroit Free Press
October 23, 2020

https://www.freep.com/story/news/local/michigan/2020/10/23/454-priests-accused-michigan-clergy-probe/3731872001/

The scope of clergy abuse in Michigan is much worse than what Catholic officials have been reporting as state investigators have now identified more than 400 accused priests and 800 victims after reviewing thousands of paper documents seized during 2018 raids, according to state records and the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests.

Moreover, SNAP says, Michigan may have a bigger clergy abuse problem than Pennsylvania, where an explosive 2018 abuse scandal involving hundreds of priests and more than 1,000 children continues to haunt the Catholic Church.

That same year, Michigan launched its own investigation, which SNAP says is producing similar startling numbers.

According to a report issued this week by Attorney General Dana Nessel, 454 accused priests and 811 victims have been identified so far in an ongoing two-year priest abuse investigation involving seven dioceses across the state. Her office notes the number could change as the investigation continues.