Fr. Daniel C. Aerts
In 4/2002 Aerts admitted to sexual misconduct with a boy, ages 14-16, in the late 1970s while assigned to St. Thomas and Holy Spirit parishes in Grand Rapids. The boy reportedly had gone to Aerts for counseling due to feelings of same sex attraction, and that Aerts and his male lover introduced him to gay sex, including S&M. He said that another boys, age 16, was also involved. Accused also of sexually abusing a 14-year-old boy in 1977 at the Holy Spirit rectory. Apparently the victim Aerts a letter in 2002 and he forwarded it to the Diocese. He resigned from his position. Removed permanently from ministry. The bishop said there was no prior knowledge of abuse. Included in the MI Attorney General’s 12/15/2025 Grand Rapids Report. No prosecution due to the statute of limitations.
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