Today, the Michigan Attorney General announced the indictment of Rev. Vincent DeLorenzo and Timothy Crowley, both of whom served as priests of the Diocese of Lansing and had been previously been removed from ministry after complaints of sexual abuse with a minor.
Bishop Earl Boyea stated, “I welcome today’s action so that the truth can come out and justice may be served. Any priest who commits reprehensible acts against children does grave harm to victims. He betrays the priesthood and the entire Church. I pray that Christ brings healing to all involved.”
Regarding Rev. Vincent DeLorenzo:
In 2002, the Diocese of Lansing received a complaint against Rev. Vincent DeLorenzo of sexual abuse involving a minor. After receiving this complaint, Bishop Carl Mengeling removed the priest from ministry and forwarded the complaint to the Genesee County prosecutor. The diocese has requested that Rev. DeLorenzo be laicized (defrocked) and is awaiting a decision from Rome.
The diocese invited victims to come forward and report abuse to civil authorities and to contact the diocese to receive assistance. Since 2002, seven additional complaints for a total of eight were made against Rev. DeLorenzo. The policy of the Diocese of Lansing is to take every complaint to law enforcement. The most recent allegations were brought forward in May 2018 and January 2019. The diocese forwarded the May 2018 allegation to the Genesee County prosecutor and the Burton police. The January 2019 allegation was also forwarded by the diocese to the Genesee County prosecutor and the Michigan Attorney General, who had started a state-wide investigation into clergy sexual abuse.
Regarding Timothy Crowley:
In 1993, an allegation was made against then Rev. Timothy Crowley, who was removed from ministry in the Diocese of Lansing by Bishop Kenneth Povish. At that time, Crowley was serving as pastor of St. Thomas the Apostle Parish, Ann Arbor. The Archdiocese of Anchorage later appointed Crowley as their chancellor, despite the Diocese of Lansing warning the archdiocese of these allegations.
After the adoption by U.S. dioceses of the Charter for the Protection of Children and Vulnerable Adults in 2002, Crowley was removed from ministry in the Archdiocese of Anchorage. He has since been laicized (defrocked). In 2003, the Diocese of Lansing shared information with the Washtenaw County Prosecutor’s office regarding Crowley; the prosecutor was unable to bring charges.
Zero-tolerance policy:
The Diocese of Lansing has a zero-tolerance policy regarding abuse. Those with credible allegations of abuse are removed from ministry. The diocese is aware of no one currently active in ministry within the diocese who has abused a child. The diocese is committed to cooperating fully with law enforcement so that anyone who harms children can be brought to justice.
If anyone has reason to suspect physical, sexual or emotional abuse of any person of any age, please contact Protective Services or the police, as appropriate.
If abuse by anyone connected to the Church is suspected, contact the office of the Michigan Attorney General Investigation hotline at 844-324-3374. Please also contact the Diocesan Victim Assistance Coordinator at (888) 308-6252 or email: vac@dioceseoflansing.org.
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Rev. Vincent Anthony DeLorenzo
Ordained the Priesthood: June 5, 1965
Assignments
Parochial Vicar:
St. Thomas Aquinas, East Lansing
St. Joseph, Kalamazoo
St. Augustine, Kalamazoo
St. Casimir, Lansing
Pastor:
St. Pius X, Flint
St. Robert, Flushing
Holy Redeemer, Burton
Removed from ministry January 23, 2002.
(Rev.) Timothy Crowley
Ordained to the Priesthood: June 19, 1976 as a member of the Congregation of the Holy Ghost.
Assignments
Parochial Vicar:
Saint Patrick, Brighton
Holy Rosary, Flint
Incardinated into the Diocese of Lansing 1982
St. Mary, Star of the Sea, Jackson
Pastor:
St. Anthony, Hillsdale
St Thomas the Apostle, Ann Arbor
Removed from ministry in the Diocese of Lansing 1993
Archdiocese of Anchorage, Alaska
Laicized June 2015
Media contact:
Patrick M. O'Brien
President - Chief Executive Officer
FAITH Catholic - Diocese of Lansing Publishing and Communications
Pobrien@faithcatholic.com