Profile Facts
- Name
- Dale Ovid Labrie
- Role
- Priest
- Diocese
- Diocese of Saginaw
- Ordained
- 1964
- Status
- Accused
- Died
- 5/26/2021
- Records
- Diocesan and public records
For many survivors, seeing the name of their abuser published is the moment they realize they are not alone. If Father Dale Ovid Labrie harmed you or a family member, the clergy sexual abuse lawyers at White Law PLLC are ready to listen in a confidential setting.
This page summarizes the accusations against Father Labrie, a priest ordained for the Diocese of Saginaw in 1964, laicized in 1978, who died in 2021. According to published records, he was named as accused in the Michigan Attorney General’s June 2026 report on the Saginaw diocese. Because Father Labrie is deceased, criminal prosecution is not possible, but Michigan survivors may still have civil options.
Sexual Abuse in the Diocese of Saginaw
The Diocese of Saginaw is one of seven dioceses in Michigan, together with the Archdiocese of Detroit and the dioceses of Marquette, Lansing, Grand Rapids, Gaylord, and Kalamazoo. The Attorney General’s investigation, launched in 2018, issued its Saginaw report in June 2026, documenting allegations against priests including Father Labrie, some dating back half a century. A Michigan clergy sexual abuse lawyer can help survivors understand whether the report’s findings support a civil claim.
Labrie left the priesthood in 1978, married, raised a family, and became a medical social worker. A priest’s departure from ministry does not erase the diocese’s responsibility for abuse committed while he served.
The Allegations Against Father Dale Ovid Labrie
From Priesthood to Laicization
Published records indicate that Dale Ovid Labrie was ordained in 1964 for the Diocese of Saginaw and laicized in 1978. He married, raised a family, and worked as a medical social worker. He died on May 26, 2021.
The Attorney General’s Report
Labrie was named as accused in the Michigan Attorney General’s June 2026 Diocese of Saginaw report. According to the report, the diocese received a call in 2010 from a woman who said Labrie raped her when she was age 7 and that the abuse went on for years. She said she stayed in the rectory, where they were caught in bed together in 1973, after which he went on a long sabbatical. The diocesan review board determined there was insufficient information to deem the allegations credible.
These are accusations, and a review board’s finding of insufficient information is not a finding that abuse did not occur. Survivors with similar experiences can still seek legal advice about civil claims against the diocese.
Criminal vs. Civil Sexual Abuse Cases
Legal action after clergy abuse generally takes one of two forms. A criminal prosecution is brought by the state, must prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt, and can result in imprisonment. A civil lawsuit is brought by the survivor, uses a lower burden of proof, and seeks financial compensation. With Father Labrie deceased, only the civil route remains.
Criminal Cases
Criminal cases punish offenders but do not compensate survivors, and they cannot be pursued against someone who has died.
Civil Lawsuits
Civil claims can be brought against a deceased abuser’s estate and against the diocese. Where a diocese received a detailed abuse report and its review board declined to act, those facts can be examined in civil court under a standard more favorable to survivors than a church tribunal’s.
Statute of Limitations on Clergy Sexual Abuse Cases in Michigan
Under Michigan Legislature §600.5805, civil sexual abuse claims must generally be filed within ten years of the abuse or before the survivor turns 28, whichever is later. Michigan law imposes no time limit for first-degree criminal sexual conduct charges.
Survivors abused as young children in the 1970s frequently did not disclose for decades. Trauma, shame, and the confusion of a child who trusted a priest can silence victims for a lifetime. Whether a claim remains viable depends on the facts, and survivors deserve an attorney’s assessment rather than guesswork.
View All Accused Clergy in Michigan
Pursue Justice With Help From White Law PLLC
Damages available in a civil case may include therapy and medical expenses, pain and suffering, and emotional distress. Claims may name the abuser’s estate and the diocese or religious institution where officials knew or should have known of the abuse, failed to prevent it, covered it up, or failed to properly screen, train, and supervise clergy.
Michigan survivors of clergy abuse may contact White Law PLLC for a confidential consultation by calling (517) 316-1195 or visiting .
Profiles summarize published records and allegations. Inclusion does not constitute a legal finding.