Founded sexual abuse accusations against Catholic clergy members have become almost common in the media. Though it is always horrifying, many of us are no longer surprised to hear new stories of sexual abuse in any kind of organization, including the Father Gerald Harrington sexual abuse accusations found after investigating records obtained from the Diocese of Marquette.
White Law PLLC. has a long–standing commitment to advocating for those who have survived sexual abuse at the hands of clergy members. The choice to come forward and pursue legal action is personal, but when you are ready, we’re here.
Our Michigan clergy sex abuse lawyer has decades of combined experience and believes everyone deserves a chance to seek justice.
Defining Clergy Abuse
Many people think that sexual abuse only applies to penetrative rape, but Michigan law provides a much broader definition to include almost any form of sex act or act for sexual gratification without consent.
In Michigan, sexual contact with a minor in almost every case is considered sexual abuse. Some examples our Michigan sex abuse lawyers see include:
- Groping or touching for sexual gratification
- Coercive sexual contact
- Offering services in exchange for sexual favors
- Sending sexually explicit material without consent
Clergy members hold a near-sacred position in the eyes of their congregation, introducing a more significant power imbalance than there may otherwise be between a position of authority and those they should serve. Contact our Michigan personal injury lawyers for representation.
When someone like Father Gerald Harrington requests something of you, saying no may not feel like an option. Further, many survivors may feel that God wished this to happen because a clergy member did it, causing additional feelings of shame and uncertainty.
If you or someone you know
endured clergy sex abuse,
contact White Law PLLC today.
Sexual Abuse in the Catholic Church
Allegations of sexual abuse in the Catholic church have been surfacing for decades. In response to these disclosures, a Michigan task force executed warrants simultaneously on the seven Michigan dioceses in 2018 to collect electronic and paper records.
This string of reports prompted the Michigan Attorney General’s Office (AGO) to open an investigation into the Catholic Church clergy abuse. The AGO has thoroughly reviewed these files to identify patterns of abuse or coverups and to release corresponding reports as the investigations close.
Among the first few to be completed was the Diocese of Marquette. The Diocese of Marquette: A Complete Accounting was released in 2022 and updated in 2024. This identified and reported on 44 clergy members, including the sexual abuse accusations against Father Gerald Harrington.
The allegations against clergy members in the Diocese of Marquette range from inappropriate contact to penetrative assault, and each form of sexual misconduct leaves its mark on those involved.
An example of the impact of clergy abuse and the toll it takes on someone is evident in A Clergy Abuse Survivor’s Story: Taking a Stand & Overcoming Trauma.
You can contact our clergy sex abuse
lawyers today and rest easier with
experienced attorneys tackling your case.
Father Gerald Harrington
The AGO report from the Diocese of Marquette provides a short statement regarding reports of sexual abuse from Harrington. The Bishop Accountability Database simply reports that Father Gerald F Harrington was the subject of an allegation of abuse, according to the AGO report.
In 2019, the reported victim of Father Harrington’s abuse was over the age of 80 years old, and there is no further information on the nature of the abuse.
Father Harrington spent many of his years in Munising, MI. He succeeded in October of 1946 at Sacred Heart of Jesus, where he served until his death in October of 1962. As of late 2024, there have been no further sexual abuse accusations, though they are unlikely to surface at this time due to how long ago he passed and the likelihood of survivors reaching the end of their lives as well.
The investigation by the AOG focuses on dedicating resources to cases most likely to result in a conviction or encourage others to come forward.
This, unfortunately, means new survivors of Father Harrington may never be found if they are out there. However, a clergy abuse lawyer may still be able to help you even if your abuse happened years ago.
Delayed Disclosure in Child Sexual Abuse
Delayed reporting is a common occurrence that has come into focus in recent years. According to a recent report on delayed disclosure from CHILD USA, as many as 86% of cases of child sexual abuse go unreported before the survivor is an adult. This is due to a number of barriers, including:
- Shame over what happened
- Fear of retaliation
- Fear that they will not be believed
- Concern over how others might perceive them
The purity culture so often perpetuated in religious settings, in addition to the pedestal many clergy are placed upon, makes it incredibly scary for many survivors to come forward. For many, it may take years or even decades to come to terms with what happened to you and longer even to speak about it.
However, when you determine it is time, your voice can make a difference to others who may be battling the same concerns.
What to Expect
For many survivors, the unknown of what happens after you report clergy abuse and what the legal process looks like can be overwhelming. You may be uncertain of whether you want to pursue a civil or criminal case or even how those may affect each other.
When you work with White Law PLLC., we can help you understand your situation and prepare you for what comes next.
Contact a Michigan Clergy Abuse Lawyer Today
The shame of sexual abuse lies only with the abuser, and what happened to you is not your fault. Facing the reality of sexual abuse and choosing to move forward with sharing your story can come with intense and negative feelings that can make the process all the more challenging.
At White Law PLLC., we value a trauma-informed approach to handling sexual abuse cases and follow your lead on decisions relating to your outcome.
When you schedule a free case consultation with us, we can discuss your case and explain your legal options. Our consultations come with no obligation, and we work on a contingency fee schedule, meaning you won’t have to rack up thousands of dollars in legal fees to walk away with nothing.
When you are ready, you can call us.
You have the right to reach out to
a clergy sex abuse attorney and
discuss your right to legal action.
