TOLEDO, Ohio — An allegation of child sex abuse against a local priest has been deemed credible, the Diocese of Toledo announced Sunday.
The credible allegation was the second to be made against Monsignor Michael J. Doyle and dated back "over 65 years," according to the diocese.
Doyle was an active priest with the diocese from 1925 until his retirement was granted in 1977. He died in 1987.
The allegation was referred to the independent Diocesan Review Board, which the diocese said consists of "civil officials, law enforcement, education, clinical and child/adolescent psychological treatment and child protective services."
The board determined that there was enough information to substantiate the allegation against Doyle and recommended his name be added to the Diocese of Toledo's Clergy Status Report, the diocese said. The report lists clerics of the diocese whose sexual abuse of a minor was substantiated.
Bishop Daniel Thomas accepted the recommendation. By diocese policy, parishioners were notified over the weekend at the parishes where Doyle served and an announcement will be in parish bulletins.
A review of a previous allegation against Doyle in 2020 did not find enough information to substantiate the claim, according to the diocese. Both allegations came after Doyle's death. The diocese did not specify when the review of the second allegation began and described the allegation as dating back "over 65 years."
The diocese did not release further information regarding either claim. It is unclear where or when the abuse may have occurred, the age of the minor involved, or whether or not it was connected to the first allegation.
Doyle was an assistant pastor at Saint Ann Parish in Fremont in 1925 and at Saint Peter Parish in Mansfield from 1925-1930. He was an assistant director and then director of Catholic Charities in Toledo from 1932-1946. He served as chaplain at Saint Anthony Villa from 1935-1977 and director of cemeteries from 1974-1977.
WTOL 11 previously reported a lawsuit in 2002 that alleged sexual abuse by Doyle at the former St. Anthony's orphanage in north Toledo. The woman who filed the suit also called for the removal of Doyle's name from the addition to the Diocesan Pastoral Center building, which was named Monsignor Doyle Hall in 2002.
"Due to the above determination, the diocese has removed his name from the building," the diocese said in Sunday's announcement. "The Diocese is committed to transparency and to the healing process of individuals who report harm and will continue to respect the confidentiality and dignity of those who elect to come forward, whenever they make that decision."
The diocese said anyone who wishes to come forward should first report any allegation of sexual abuse of a minor by a priest, deacon, staff member or volunteer affiliated with the Diocese of Toledo to local law enforcement. Allegations can be reported to the Diocesan Victim Assistance Coordinator at 419-214-4880.
The full statement from the Diocese of Toledo is below:
The Diocese of Toledo is announcing the credible allegation, dating back over 65 years, of sexual abuse of a minor against deceased priest Monsignor Michael J. Doyle.
Monsignor Doyle served as an active priest of the Diocese from 1925-1977 when he was granted Senior Status (retired) and later died in 1987. Consistent with Diocesan policy initiated in 2019 concerning allegations made after a priest’s death, this allegation (dating back over 65 years) was referred to the independent Diocesan Review Board. That Board is comprised of professionals that include civil officials, law enforcement, education, clinical and child/adolescent psychological treatment and child protective services. Based on available information, the Review Board made the recommendation that Monsignor Doyle’s name be added to the Clergy Status Report. Bishop Daniel Thomas accepted that recommendation. For more information on the Review Board Process, see the Policy for the Protection of Minors and Young People (https://s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/toledodiocese/documents/Policy-for-the-Protection-ofMinors-and-Young-People-082019.pdf).
This is the second allegation made against Monsignor Doyle, which like the first, also came only long after his death. The first allegation went through the independent Review Board process where all available information was carefully examined in 2020. At that time Bishop Thomas had insisted upon the additional review even of allegations made against deceased priests who had died prior to an allegation being reported. The Review Board determined that there was not enough information to substantiate that first allegation and Bishop Thomas accepted that recommendation.
As is our policy, Monsignor Doyle’s name has been added to the Clergy Status Report (https://toledodiocese.org/clergy-status) on the diocesan website, parishioners at the parishes in which he served were notified this weekend, and announcements will be placed in those parish bulletins. In 2002 an addition to the Diocesan Pastoral Center building was named Monsignor Doyle Hall and, due to the above determination, the diocese has removed his name from the building. The Diocese is committed to transparency and to the healing process of individuals who report harm and will continue to respect the confidentiality and dignity of those who elect to come forward, whenever they make that decision.
The Diocese of Toledo remains vigilant in ensuring the protection of children and providing a safe environment for all young people, as well as ensuring the dignity and integrity of the priesthood. The Diocese of Toledo asks for your continued prayers for all those involved.
Any allegation of sexual abuse of a minor by a priest, deacon, staff member or volunteer affiliated with the Diocese of Toledo should first be reported to local law enforcement where the abuse is alleged to have occurred. Please also report any such allegation to the Diocesan Victim Assistance Coordinator at 419-214-4880.
