The release of the Diocese of Grand Rapids report follows similar releases for other dioceses across Michigan and reflects years of investigative work. While legal action against many accused clergy may no longer be possible, the report serves several crucial purposes:

• Acknowledgment of survivors’ experiences
• Public documentation of historical misconduct
• Encouragement for others to come forward
• A reminder of the importance of accountability and institutional transparency

The Diocese of Grand Rapids has long evaded transparency. It is only through the courage of survivors and the intervention of the Attorney General’s office that the public now has a clearer picture of the scope of abuse. Of the 51 clergy members identified, only a fraction had ever been publicly acknowledged by the Diocese, while roughly 30 names emerged for the first time through law enforcement records and survivor reports.

Although many of these cases cannot be prosecuted due to the passage of time, death, or legal limitations, that reality does not erase the harm or the public’s right to know. For many survivors, whose stories may never be heard in a courtroom, public acknowledgment may be the only form of accountability left.

If you or someone you know has experienced clergy abuse, you are not alone, and it is not too late to come forward. Survivors can contact the Michigan Attorney General’s clergy abuse tipline or seek confidential legal and advocacy support to understand their rights and options. Public accountability begins when survivors are believed, institutions are honest, and silence is no longer tolerated.