DETROIT (MI)
MLive [Walker MI]
October 13, 2021
By Justine Lofton
Shelby Township MI – A former Michigan priest will soon stand trial for sex abuse he allegedly committed in the 1980s, state officials announced.
Neil Kalina, 66, was a priest at St. Kiernan Catholic Church in Shelby Township from 1982-1985 when he allegedly committed sex abuse against children 13-15 years old.
On Tuesday, a judge ruled there’s enough probable cause to send Kalina’s case to Macomb County Circuit Court for trial. He is charged with one count of first-degree criminal sexual conduct (CSC) against a child 13-15 years old, punishable by up to life in prison; and two counts of second-degree CSC against a child 13-15 years old, punishable by up to 15 years in prison. His next court appearnce is set for Nov. 1.
Kalina was first charged in May 2019 and arrested in Littlerock, Calif.
The case is part of the Michigan Office of Attorney General’s ongoing Clergy Abuse Investigation.
“As we marked the three-year anniversary of our Clergy Abuse Investigation at the beginning of the month, I hope our continued prosecution against Mr. Kalina serves as a reminder of our ongoing commitment to securing justice for abuse survivors,” Attorney General Dana Nessel said in a statement.
So far, 11 people have been charged related to the investigation and four of the cases have resulted in convictions.
In August, former Catholic school music teacher Joseph Comperchio was sentenced to 12-30 years in prison.