Profile Facts
- Name
- Dennis L. Martell
- Role
- Priest
- Diocese
- Archdiocese of Detroit
- Ordained
- 1976
- Status
- Accused
- Records
- Diocesan and public records
This page summarizes the public record concerning Father Dennis L. Martell, a former Archdiocese of Detroit priest who was laicized and later named on the archdiocese’s list of credibly accused clergy. White Law PLLC’s clergy sexual abuse lawyers publish these profiles to keep verified information accessible to survivors.
Martell disappeared from church directories after the mid-1990s, which can make it harder for survivors to connect their experience to the documented record. If his name is part of your story, our attorneys can help you piece together what happened and what remedies exist.
Sexual Abuse in the Archdiocese of Detroit
The Archdiocese of Detroit is Michigan’s largest diocese and one of seven in the state, along with Lansing, Grand Rapids, Saginaw, Gaylord, Marquette, and Kalamazoo. Its 2002 status report on clergy abuse was an early attempt to account for accused priests, and the Michigan Attorney General’s 2018 investigation later subjected those records to deeper scrutiny.
Survivors named in connection with archdiocesan priests can consult a Michigan clergy sexual abuse lawyer to understand how the church’s own admissions may support a civil lawsuit.
The Allegations Against Father Dennis L. Martell
Laicized and Listed
According to published records, Martell, ordained in 1976, was included in the archdiocese’s September 2002 status report and was laicized. Catholic directories show him assigned to Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Lapeer in 1992-1993 and listed as absent on leave in 1993-1994. He does not appear in the directories after 1994.
Credibly Accused Designation
On June 10, 2019, the archdiocese included Martell on its list of credibly accused clergy. The public record contains limited detail about the underlying allegations, but the archdiocese’s own designation reflects its determination that the reports against him were credible.
Criminal vs. Civil Sexual Abuse Cases
Whether criminal charges could still be pursued depends on the dates and nature of the alleged conduct, which the public record does not fully detail. An attorney can help a survivor assess whether a criminal referral is still viable.
Civil claims follow their own timeline and standards. Even where the underlying facts are decades old, a survivor may have a claim against the archdiocese, especially if officials failed to supervise Martell or warn the parishes where he served.
Statute of Limitations on Clergy Sexual Abuse Cases in Michigan
Michigan Legislature §600.5805 generally allows civil sexual abuse claims within ten years of the abuse or until the survivor turns 28, whichever is later. Michigan law sets no time limit for first-degree criminal sexual conduct.
Because the details of Martell’s alleged abuse are sparse in the public record, survivors with personal knowledge hold the key facts. A confidential legal review can determine whether those facts support a timely claim.
View All Accused Clergy in Michigan
Pursue Justice With Help From White Law PLLC
Call White Law PLLC at (517) 316-1195 for a free, confidential consultation about abuse by Father Martell. Our office is located at .
We serve survivors across Michigan. Speaking with us is private, pressure-free, and the best way to learn your options.
Profiles summarize published records and allegations. Inclusion does not constitute a legal finding.