DeLorenzo Felony Case Update

We have posted previously on two of the legal cases we are following, one criminal, one civil.  And on Tuesday, April 25, 2023 there was a noteworthy development in the criminal felony case against Fr. Vincent DeLorenzo, who pled guilty to one count of attempted sexual conduct in the first degree for sexually assaulting a five-year-old boy following a 1987 family funeral.  In the plea deal he struck with the Michigan Attorney General’s Office, further charges of sexual assault against primary parochial school students were dismissed. The announcement made by the Michigan Attorney General can be read here.

The proposed sentence of 1 year jail/ 5 years probation has provoked anger from victims and victim advocates: because of the Michigan Statute of Limitations, several other cases could not be prosecuted by the Michigan Attorney General. 

Victims, family members, and advocates who have reached out to Birmingham Diocesan Watch, disturbed by the relatively light sentence, are submitting Victim Impact Statements to Judge Brian S. Pickell prior to the June 13 sentencing, requesting that it be stiffened.

They are also requesting further investigation of a second priest who lived with DeLorenzo in the rectory. Sworn affidavits with Michigan criminal investigators allege that he was told of the abuse by the child victim, promising him that it would never occur again, yet failed to act to stop the abuse and, indeed, to interrupt DeLorenzo’s chain of sexual abuse victims.

The culture of clerical omertà, discussed in previous posts, continues to thrive. 

Victims and their advocates have asked readers of Birmingham Diocesan Watch, along with other Catholic clergy and laity in our Diocese, to address letters to Judge Brian S. Pickell, requesting further investigation of allegations that this clergyman was told of sexual abuse, but failed to act to end it.

To submit a letter to Judge Brian S. Pickell, please use the below mailing address and email:
Attn: Judge Brian S. Pickell
900 S. Saginaw Street
Flint, MI 48502
morvis@geneseecountymi.gov

We reached out to the Diocese of Birmingham for comment. The Director of Communications and Public Relations, Donald Carson, responded promptly, stating “Please understand that I do not respond to opinions or speculation.  You may already have seen the recent release from the Diocese of Lansing, but if not, it’s here: https://dioceseoflansing.org/news/read-diocese-lansing-praises-bravery-victims-genesee-county-abuse-case.  Should you have questions for the Diocese of Lansing, it would be best to inquire there.”