Fr. Robert Gordon Smith

Ordained for the Diocese of Gaylord. Became a priest of the Diocese of Saginaw when it was created in 1971. First named publicly as credibly accused by the Gaylord diocese on its list 11/10/2018. Died 6/24/1980. Name included on the Saginaw diocese’s list 4/10/2019, which notes that Smith was previously removed from publicly ministry. Accused in 1957 of molesting an altar boy, age 13. In 1997 a man reported Smith sexually abused him as a boy. In 2004 the Diocese received a report that Smith sexually abused a boy, beginning when the boy was age 10 in 1965 or 1966. The abuse allegedly included anal sex and forced sex with other boys. Another man reported in 2004 that Smith abused him 1970-1972, at age 14. In 2018 a man reported that Smith sexually abused him in 1955 in Vassar, when he was age 13. The man said he spoke with the Diocese’s Victims Assistance Coordinator 15 or 16 years prior. In 12/2018 the Diocese of Gaylord spoke with Saginaw regarding a reporting abuse by Smith as a child, and an allegation was received of abuse by Smith of a boy ages 7-10 1968-1971 in Onaway, MI. In 3/2020 a man told the Diocese that Smith sexually abused him at age 6 boy 1969. Included in the MI Attorney General’s 6/25/2026 Diocese of Saginaw Report.