MARQUETTE (MI)
WLUC
April 3, 2018
Father Frank M. Lenz, a senior (retired) priest of the Diocese of Marquette, who was recently placed on administrative leave after an allegation of sexual misconduct, has released a full statement to TV6 & FOX UP regarding the allegations. His statement is as follows:
“These charges come as a complete surprise to me. I was just told of them Monday (April 2) after Easter. Apparently the woman came to the Bishop’s offices on Good Friday and accused me of terrible abuse committed against her about 45 years ago, while I was a young priest at St. Peter cathedral, and she was about 8 or 10 years old. I was told her name, both her maiden name and her married name, but I do not know who she is. Her accusations are horrible; I wish you had a copy of them. I was not allowed to have a copy of them, but I deny all her charges entirely and absolutely.”
“None of it is a matter of interpretation or definition or misunderstanding; everything she accuses me of is false. I have been a priest in good standing in the U.P. for almost 49 years, and in all that time there has never been one, single charge of sexual misconduct against me involving any man, woman or child in all the parishes I have ever been in. I have been removed from all priestly functions, and have been barred from referring to myself in any way as a priest, or from performing any priestly duties in public. That breaks my heart.”
Note: This is an Abuse Tracker excerpt. Click the title to view the full text of the original article. If the original article is no longer available, see our News Archive.