Profile Facts
- Name
- Edgar Szymanski
- Role
- Priest
- Diocese
- Diocese of Lansing
- Order
- CSC
- Ordained
- 1943
- Status
- Accused
- Died
- 12/8/1998
- Records
- Diocesan and public records
As clergy sexual abuse lawyers serving Michigan, White Law PLLC has built this profile of Father Edgar Szymanski from public sources. It summarizes the reported accusations against him.
Below, we summarize Father Szymanski’s assignments, the reported abuse, and the legal options Michigan survivors still have. With his death on 12/8/1998, criminal charges against him are off the table. That does not end the matter: survivors can still seek accountability through the civil courts.
Sexual Abuse in the Diocese of Lansing
The accusations against Father Edgar Szymanski arose within the Diocese of Lansing, one of seven dioceses statewide. Across Michigan, Catholic life is organized into seven dioceses: Detroit, Gaylord, Grand Rapids, Kalamazoo, Lansing, Marquette, and Saginaw, one of which assigned Father Szymanski.
In 2018 the Michigan Attorney General launched a statewide investigation into clergy sexual abuse, seizing records from all seven dioceses, the kind of review that surfaced reports like those against Father Szymanski. The findings underscored why survivors need counsel: a Michigan clergy sexual abuse lawyer can determine whether the Diocese of Lansing protected Father Szymanski instead of children.
The Allegations Against Father Edgar Szymanski
Where He Served
Father Edgar Szymanski was a priest of the Congregation of Holy Cross ordained in 1943. According to his obituary, he served as chaplain at Boysville in Clinton, Michigan, from 1951 to 1959. He died on December 8, 1998.
What the Record Shows
Published records indicate that Szymanski was named publicly as accused on his order’s list on June 12, 2019, which notes multiple allegations received in 1999 and 2018 of abuse in the 1940s and 1950s in Michigan.
Criminal vs. Civil Sexual Abuse Cases
Abuse by a member of the clergy can trigger two separate legal processes, a criminal case and a civil lawsuit, and both may matter to survivors of Father Szymanski. The state pursues criminal cases to punish the offender, while civil lawsuits aim to compensate the survivor for what was taken from them, the dual framework surrounding Father Szymanski’s case.
Criminal Charges
In a criminal case arising from reports like those against Father Szymanski, the government must prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt, and a conviction can mean prison, fines, and sex-offender registration.
Civil Accountability
Through a civil claim, survivors of Father Szymanski can hold both the abuser and the institutions that enabled him financially accountable.
Statute of Limitations on Clergy Sexual Abuse Cases in Michigan
Under Michigan Compiled Laws §600.5805, civil claims for childhood sexual abuse are generally subject to a ten-year limitations period, running until the survivor turns 28, the rule that governs claims against Father Szymanski.
There is no statute of limitations for first-degree criminal sexual conduct in Michigan. Survivors of Father Szymanski also frequently need years to process trauma before coming forward, so even older cases deserve a legal review.
View All Accused Clergy in Michigan
Pursue Justice With Help From White Law PLLC
Liability can extend past his estate to the diocese itself. If the Diocese of Lansing knew or should have known Father Szymanski posed a risk, and failed to prevent the abuse, buried complaints, or supervised him carelessly, survivors can name the institution in the suit.
Available damages can cover medical and therapy bills, pain and suffering, and emotional distress for survivors of Father Szymanski. Call White Law PLLC at (517) 316-1195 for a confidential case review.
Profiles summarize published records and allegations. Inclusion does not constitute a legal finding.