The Most Reverend Earl Boyea, Bishop of Lansing, has accepted the resignation of the Reverend Richard Lobert as Chaplain to Father Gabriel Richard High School in Ann Arbor.
In December 2020, the Diocese of Lansing placed Father Lobert on ministerial leave pending an investigation by The Office of the Attorney General of the State of Michigan; Father Lobert’s home diocese, the Archdiocese of Baltimore, also removed Father Lobert’s priestly faculties.
Rooted in a commitment to the highest standards of conduct on the part of all clergy, staff and volunteers, the Diocese of Lansing is fully cooperating with the Attorney General’s investigation which is still ongoing. Neither the existence of such an investigation nor Father Lobert’s resignation carries a presumption of guilt. In order not to prejudice this ongoing investigation, no more information can be shared publicly until the matter has been concluded.
A priest of the Archdiocese of Baltimore, Father Lobert has served the school community at Father Gabriel Richard since 1995; while Father Lobert has not had any other assignments within the Diocese of Lansing, he has from time to time assisted at other parishes within the diocese, including regularly at Holy Spirit in Hamburg.
Bishop Boyea has named the Reverend Ryan Riley, currently Parochial Vicar at St. John the Evangelist in Fenton, as the new chaplain of Father Gabriel Richard High School. Father Riley will take up his new post on July 1, 2021.
ENDS
The Diocese of Lansing expects that all diocesan employees, clergy, and volunteers will exemplify the moral teachings of Jesus Christ and His Holy Catholic Church in their personal and professional life. See Diocesan Code of Conduct. Anyone wishing to report misconduct may do so here.
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, please also contact our Victim Assistance Coordinator at (888) 308-6252 or email: vac@dioceseoflansing.org. Anyone reporting clergy abuse can do so directly to the Michigan Attorney General here or by calling the investigation hotline at 844-324-3374.