Profile Facts
- Name
- Edward Theodore Olszewski
- Role
- Priest
- Diocese
- Archdiocese of Detroit
- Ordained
- 1960
- Status
- Convicted
- Died
- 4/25/2025
- Records
- Diocesan and public records
Michigan survivors who were abused by clergy deserve attorneys who will fight as hard as they do. The clergy sexual abuse lawyers at White Law PLLC bring skill, resolve, and compassion to every case, and every consultation is strictly confidential.
Father Edward Theodore Olszewski was ordained for the Archdiocese of Detroit in 1960 and later served in Florida. He was found guilty by a jury in 2002 of indecent liberties with a minor, though that conviction was later reversed on appeal. This page reviews the reported record and explains survivors’ legal options under Michigan law.
Sexual Abuse in the Archdiocese of Detroit
The Archdiocese of Detroit anchors Michigan’s seven-diocese Catholic structure, which also includes the Dioceses of Grand Rapids, Saginaw, Lansing, Kalamazoo, Gaylord, and Marquette. In 2018 the Michigan Attorney General’s office began a statewide investigation of clergy sexual abuse whose reports have named accused priests across all seven dioceses.
With a Michigan clergy sexual abuse lawyer at your side, investigative findings and court records from cases like Olszewski’s can become the foundation of a civil claim for damages.
The Allegations Against Father Edward Theodore Olszewski
Trial and Conviction
Published records indicate that Olszewski was ordained in 1960 for the Archdiocese of Detroit, transferred to the Archdiocese of Miami in 1976, and was incardinated there in 1981. He was accused of sodomizing his foster son beginning when the boy was 11. A jury found him guilty on December 18, 2002 of indecent liberties with a minor, while acquitting him of the sodomy charges, and he was sentenced on January 30, 2003 to three years of probation. A motion for a new trial was denied on March 13, 2003, and a civil suit was filed in Florida on December 22, 2003 alleging abuse there.
Reversal on Appeal
On December 8, 2005, the Michigan Supreme Court reversed the conviction, ruling that Olszewski had been deprived of an impartial jury. Prosecutors chose not to retry the case because most of his sentence had already been served. He was removed from the Michigan and Florida sex-offender registries, though his ministry remained restricted. He appeared on the Detroit archdiocese’s June 10, 2019 list of credibly accused priests and died on April 25, 2025. With his death, criminal prosecution is off the table, but civil claims against his estate or the church institutions involved may still be available to survivors.
Criminal vs. Civil Sexual Abuse Cases
Criminal cases and civil lawsuits answer different questions. A criminal trial asks whether the state can prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt, with prison as the possible outcome. A civil case asks whether the survivor deserves compensation, decided by a lower burden of proof, and it can proceed regardless of what happened in criminal court.
A diocese or archdiocese can also face civil liability when its leaders knew or should have known a priest posed a danger, yet failed to prevent abuse, hid reports, or fell short on screening and supervision.
Statute of Limitations on Clergy Sexual Abuse Cases in Michigan
Under MCL §600.5805, a Michigan survivor generally has ten years from the abuse, or until turning 28, whichever is later, to file a civil claim. There is no time limit on first-degree criminal sexual conduct charges. The extended civil deadline recognizes that survivors often need years to process trauma or recover suppressed memories before they can come forward.
Because exceptions can alter the deadline, it is wise to get legal guidance as soon as you are ready, so no opportunity is lost.
View All Accused Clergy in Michigan
Pursue Justice With Help From White Law PLLC
Harm inflicted by a priest can echo through a survivor’s entire life, affecting health, relationships, and peace of mind. A civil claim may provide compensation for medical and therapy costs, pain and suffering, and emotional distress, while holding the responsible institutions to account. White Law PLLC stands ready to carry that fight for you.
Call (517) 316-1195 today for a confidential case evaluation, or come see us at . We serve survivors throughout Michigan.
Profiles summarize published records and allegations. Inclusion does not constitute a legal finding.