Crime

Detroit Archdiocese Restricts Ex-Priest, 96, Accused of Child Sex Abuse

January 16, 2021, 12:49 PM by  Allan Lengel


Rev. Lawrence Fares before stepping down 24 years ago

The Archdiocese of Detroit has imposed restrictions on retired priest Lawrence Fares, 96, who has been accused of sexually abusing a minor.

Under the order, announced Thursday, Fares is barred from public and priestly ministry duties including wearing clerical attire and presenting himself as a priest, according to an Archdiocese media release. 

In July 2019, the Archdiocese of Detroit was made aware of an allegation of child sexual abuse against  Fares from years past during his ministry. The allegations had been reported by the accuser to law enforcement.

In fall 2019, the state attorney general's office directed the archdiocese to conduct a church investigation. During that process, a second allegation surfaced, the archdiocese said. 

A review board found the allegations credible.

The board deems allegations credible if they have a “semblance of truth,” meaning it appears to be or could possibly be true. There remains a presumption of innocence until and unless an individual is found guilty in secular or church proceedings, the church said.

Fares entered senior/retired status in 1997 and had most recently served at St. Ronald in Clinton Township.



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