The last two decades have been rife with allegations of sexual abuse against clergy members across the country. One of the dioceses included in these allegations and the resulting investigation is the Diocese of Marquette in Michigan. This investigation has brought these predators to light and encouraged survivors of clergy abuse to come forward.
If you have survived sexual abuse by a Diocese of Marquette clergy member, you have recourse. White Law PLLC has years of experience defending the rights of sexual abuse survivors. Our Marquette clergy sexual abuse lawyer is committed to helping you seek justice and take control of your narrative.
Attorney General Investigation of Diocese of Marquette
The Michigan attorney general initiated an investigation into all of the dioceses in Michigan following surfaced accusations of sexual abuse by clergy members. This investigation began in September of 2018, and a search warrant for the dioceses was executed on October 3 of the same year, according to the report of alleged abuse at Marquette Catholic Diocese. The investigation covered a period beginning January 1, 1950.
The information gathered through the search warrant occurred over eight hours. A White Law PLLC article reports that after police investigations, reviewing tips from the tip line, interviews, 1.5 million paper documents, and 2.5 million electronic documents, the AG office uncovered several pieces of information that include evidence to substantiate claims on multiple priests, and establishing that the Diocese of Marquette subjected the community to 73 years of sexual abuse.
Investigation
This investigation was a collaborative effort of the attorney general office, local law enforcement, tip lines, and the Diocese of Marquette leadership. Findings showed that while 44 names were discovered from the diocese, there were no records of child sexual abuse (CSA) allegations past the 1990s, according to the Diocese AG report at a glance in 2022. This report also shows that the tip line yielded 52 tips regarding the Dioceses of Marquette, 16 of which were submitted directly from its members.
Team Selection and Approach
The Michigan attorney General has taken great care to ensure that the results offer a voice and support, even if not the ideal outcome. The team selected to handle this investigation has been done mindfully to ensure an expansive skillset, including those familiar with licensure and prosecution. Law enforcement involved in the case has taken a person-centered, trauma-informed approach to ensure the least amount of additional trauma and psychological harm to survivors.
Your Fight Is Our Fight
Diocese of Marquette Accused
The attorney general’s report includes a list of those who were accused. Of the 44 members with sexual abuse allegations from the Diocese of Marquette final report, the AG brought charges to 11 cases. The Diocese has released the names of six priests who have substantiated claims against them.
Rev. Aaron Nowicki
Fr. Arron Nowicki was charged with four felony counts in 2021. These charges were related to a sting operation in which he was attempting to meet who he believed to be a 15-year-old boy. The Father Aaron Nowicki sexual abuse accusations moved to a conviction for child sexually abusive activity in 2023 when the judge sentenced him to 18 months to 20 years of imprisonment in 2024.
Father Nowicki was removed from the ministry in 2019 after allegations of inappropriate sexual conduct. This was due to reports of a concerning relationship with a vulnerable adult at the church. The observed behavior was a moral issue with the church but did not meet the threshold for legal action, and therefore, the church did not report the concerns to law enforcement.
Rev. Joseph D. Carne
Rev. Carne faced multiple sexual abuse allegations at the Diocese of Marquette over more than a decade. He was removed from ministry in 2002 and died in 2019. According to the Bishop Accountability database, Fr. Joseph D. Carne reported that he was also sexually abused by Fr. Michael Hale, which caused lasting problems.
Rev. Richard Craig
Rev. Richard Craig was reported for inappropriate conduct after a young boy disclosed concerning behavior. The case was referred to local law enforcement, which did not pursue charges at the time. The Diocese requested a leave of absence from Craig, during which time he was not to have contact with the minor child again or any children.
The Diocese later discovered that not only did Craig not honor the agreement, but the same boy had disclosed incidents of molestation. Craig was invited to seek voluntary laicization by multiple members of his leadership. The bishop accountability database shows he left the ministry under a leave of absence in 1993
Rev. James Menapace
James Menapace has a history of multiple allegations regarding sexually inappropriate conduct with children. He was accused of sexually abusing two boys while in ministry, and allegations were made regarding questionable behavior with a younger cousin. The boys who filed reports were not interested in pursuing charges, and Fr. James L. Menapace died in 2022.
Terrence Healy
Fr. Terrence Healy faced sexual abuse allegations from more than eight boys, including an unspecified number of boys he met through his foster home. Healy pleaded no contest to charges stating he sexually abused a 15-year-old boy and served 4.5 years in prison. He died in 2019.
Gary A. Jacobs
Gary Jacobs faced multiple allegations of sexual abuse that came through the attorney general’s tip line in 2020. The bishop accountability database for Fr. Gary Allen Jacobs reports that he was Laicized in 2010 after being discharged from ministry in 1988. In 2021, he pleaded guilty to charges from five cases and will serve between eight and fifteen years in prison.
Call a Michigan Clergy Sexual Abuse Lawyer Today
Sexual abuse, particularly in childhood, almost always has devastating effects without immediate support. The status of clergy members and shame often involved with clergy sexual abuse acts to ensure the silence of victims, leaving them to suffer for months, years, or even decades before they are comfortable coming forward. When you do make the decision, you deserve someone to listen.
At White Law PLLC., our Michigan clergy sexual abuse lawyer is prepared to help you through this journey. We offer free case consultations and work with our clients on a contingency fee basis, meaning you don’t owe us until we recover compensation for you. You don’t have to suffer alone.
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