Fr. Michael G. McKenna

In 1993 a 16-year-old boy and his parents told the Diocese they were concerned about McKenna’s behavior. McKenna was a long-time family friend and sought increasing time and involvement with the boy, with boundary violations. They wanted him to get help. McKenna went on sabbatical in 2002 and was placed on medical leave in  2003. He was permanently removed from all ministry in 12/2006 after credible allegations that he sexually abused a child in the 1970s. Ordered to live a life of prayer and penance. Additional allegations of old abuse became public in 3/2008. Prosecutors said evidence showed abuse but the statute of limitations prohibited criminal prosecution. There were “several” victims, per the bishop. McKenna died 10/26/2023. Included in the MI Attorney General’s 12/15/2025 Diocese of Grand Rapids report which details numerous allegations. In 5/2002 a man told the Diocese that McKenna sexually abused him for at least two years, beginning in 1973, when he was an altar boy, age 11 or 12. In 2/2004 a man reported that when he was ages 12-15, in 1975-1978, McKenna sexually abused him. Another man contacted the Diocese in 10/2004 to report that when he was 18, McKenna asked for a massage, during which the priest appeared to have an orgasm. In 12/2006 a man reported that McKenna sexually abused him between 1976 and 1977. In 1/2007 a man alleged abuse by McKenna as a 13-year-old altar boy in the mid-1970s. Also accused in 1/2007 of sexually abusing a boy 1978-1985, beginning when the boy was 11 or 12. In 11/2009 a man reported that his cognitively impaired 29-year-old son was spending weekends with McKenna and was worried that McKenna might have been sexually abusing his son. In 2010 a man said McKenna sexually abused him at age 12 in 1978; per another account, he was abused by the priest at age 9-10 in 1975-1976.