The Attorney General from the State of Michigan, Dana Nessel, released a report in December 2025 “detailing descriptions of allegations of sexual abuse or assault and other sexual misconduct (including grooming and misuse of authority)” by current or former clergy from the Diocese of Grand Rapids, Michigan.

Among the most interesting aspects of this report is the way in which the diocesan policy on the publishing of lists of “credibly accused” was handled. As has been noted elsewhere, Bishop David Walkowiak has declined to publish a list of “credibly accused” clergy in his diocese. While an article dated 1 August 2025 by Robert Herguth of the Chicago Sun-Times contained sharp criticism of the decision–asking provocatively if the Catholic Church was “headed into a new era of secrecy over child sex abuse”–Bishop Walkowiak stuck to his guns.

The Michigan AG, not generally known as having a pro-Catholic bias, did not excoriate Grand Rapids for its policy, nor did she condemn Bishop Walkowiak as somehow retreating on transparency and accountability. Rather, the report simply stated the following:

“Unlike the Archdiocese of Detroit and the other dioceses in Michigan, in accordance with the 2025 Vatican directive from the Dicastery for Legislative Texts, the Diocese of Grand Rapids does not maintain a list of clergy who have been credibly accused or removed based on allegations of sexually abusing a minor. Rather, in the event that a priest has been credibly accused of sexually abusing a minor, the Diocese publishes a press release revealing the individual’s name and the details of the allegation.”

Thanks be to God for Bishop Walkowiak’s good example.