Profile Facts
- Name
- Don Shiroda
- Role
- Priest
- Diocese
- Diocese of Marquette
- Status
- Accused
- Died
- 2011
- Records
- Diocesan and public records
Father Don Shiroda served as a priest in the Diocese of Marquette and has been accused of the sexual abuse of minors. White Law PLLC’s clergy sexual abuse lawyers stand with Michigan survivors, and this page gathers what public records report about the accusations against Father Don Shiroda.
The sections that follow cover where Father Don Shiroda served, what survivors and investigators have reported, and how criminal and civil cases differ in Michigan. Reading them can help you understand your options if you were abused by Father Don Shiroda.
Sexual Abuse in the Diocese of Marquette
The 2018 investigation launched by Michigan’s Attorney General put every diocese in the state under the microscope, the Diocese of Marquette included. Anyone abused by Father Don Shiroda can speak with a Michigan clergy sexual abuse lawyer at White Law PLLC about what the investigation uncovered.
Across Michigan’s seven dioceses (Diocese of Grand Rapids, Diocese of Kalamazoo, Diocese of Saginaw, Diocese of Marquette, Diocese of Gaylord, Archdiocese of Detroit, Diocese of Lansing), investigators documented patterns of abuse and institutional failure stretching back decades. The Diocese of Marquette portion of that record is relevant to understanding the accusations against Father Don Shiroda.
The Allegations Against Father Don Shiroda
What the Record Shows
Don Shiroda was a priest of the Diocese of Marquette. He was named in the Michigan Attorney General’s October 2022 final report on the Diocese of Marquette among the priests with credible allegations of sexual abuse. He died in 2011.
What Comes Next
White Law PLLC is compiling the full profile of Father Don Shiroda. Criminal prosecution is no longer possible following his death in 2011, but survivors may still pursue civil claims against his estate or the Diocese of Marquette.
Criminal vs. Civil Sexual Abuse Cases
A criminal prosecution and a civil lawsuit do different jobs for survivors of Father Don Shiroda’s alleged abuse. Criminal cases are filed by prosecutors and can put an offender behind bars. Civil cases are filed by survivors themselves and pursue financial recovery. One does not require the other.
Civil liability for the abuse Father Don Shiroda is accused of can extend past the priest to his estate and to the diocese or order that employed him. Institutions are answerable when they knew or should have known of the risk, failed to prevent abuse, concealed allegations, or fell short on screening and training. Survivors may recover medical and therapy expenses, damages for pain and suffering, and compensation for emotional distress.
Statute of Limitations on Clergy Sexual Abuse Cases in Michigan
For anyone abused by Father Don Shiroda, Michigan law sets specific deadlines for civil claims. Under Michigan Legislature §600.5805, a survivor generally has ten years from the abuse, or until turning 28, whichever is later, to file suit. For first-degree criminal sexual conduct, Michigan imposes no time limit.
It is common for survivors abused by priests such as Father Don Shiroda to delay reporting. Psychological trauma can suppress memories for decades, and many victims only connect their suffering to the abuse much later in life. The law’s extended timelines reflect that understanding, but acting sooner preserves more options.
View All Accused Clergy in Michigan
Pursue Justice With Help From White Law PLLC
White Law PLLC represents Michigan survivors in clergy abuse cases like the one involving Father Don Shiroda. Reach us at (517) 316-1195 for a private consultation. Taking the first step is often the hardest, we will handle it with care.
Speaking with our team is confidential and carries no obligation. We can assess how the reported conduct of Father Don Shiroda fits Michigan law and what remedies may be available to you.
Profiles summarize published records and allegations. Inclusion does not constitute a legal finding.