Profile Facts
- Name
- Joseph D. Carne
- Role
- Priest
- Diocese
- Diocese of Marquette
- Ordained
- 1971
- Status
- Accused
- Died
- 5/13/2019
- Records
- Diocesan and public records
Father Joseph D. Carne, ordained a priest in 1971, is accused of sexually abusing minors during his ministry in the Diocese of Marquette. Our clergy sexual abuse lawyers at White Law PLLC assembled this profile from public records so Michigan survivors can see exactly what has been reported about Carne, who resigned in 2002 and died in 2019.
Coming forward about abuse by a priest takes extraordinary courage, and many survivors wait years before telling anyone. This page lays out Carne’s assignments, the allegations documented against him, and the legal options that Michigan law may still provide even though he is no longer living.
Sexual Abuse in the Diocese of Marquette
The Diocese of Marquette covers Michigan’s Upper Peninsula and is one of the state’s seven Catholic dioceses, alongside Detroit, Gaylord, Grand Rapids, Kalamazoo, Lansing, and Saginaw. When the Michigan Attorney General launched a statewide investigation of clergy sexual abuse in 2018, investigators collected records from every diocese, including Marquette, and later published reports naming accused priests. As a Michigan clergy sexual abuse lawyer, White Law PLLC follows those reports closely.
Because the Upper Peninsula’s Catholic communities are small and close-knit, survivors there may worry about being identified. An experienced attorney can pursue your claim discreetly and explain whether the diocese may bear responsibility for placing an accused priest near children.
The Allegations Against Father Joseph D. Carne
Where He Served
Published records indicate that Carne was ordained in 1971 and served in the Diocese of Marquette. In July 2002 he resigned after a credible allegation surfaced that he had sexually abused a minor roughly 27 years earlier. The diocese placed him on a health-related leave of absence, and he had been permanently removed from ministry in April 2002, a removal confirmed on the diocese’s public list of accused clergy released December 13, 2018. Carne died on May 13, 2019.
What Survivors Reported
According to the Michigan Attorney General’s report released in October 2022, Carne faced multiple allegations of sexually abusing boys between the ages of 8 and 17, as well as male college students, and attempting to forcibly kiss at least one teenage girl. The same report notes that Carne himself said he had been sexually abused by Fr. Michael Hale, which he described as causing him “life-long troubles.” Because Carne died in 2019, he is no longer alive for anyone to pursue criminal charges against him, but civil remedies may still be available to survivors.
Criminal vs. Civil Sexual Abuse Cases
Criminal sexual abuse cases are prosecuted by the state and can lead to imprisonment. Civil cases are brought by survivors themselves and seek monetary compensation for the injuries they suffered. A civil lawsuit stands on its own, it can proceed even when no criminal prosecution is possible.
Carne died in 2019, so he is no longer alive for anyone to pursue criminal charges against him. That reality does not close every door. Survivors may still file civil claims against his estate or against the Diocese of Marquette if church officials knew or should have known about the risk he posed.
Statute of Limitations on Clergy Sexual Abuse Cases in Michigan
Michigan Legislature §600.5805 generally gives survivors ten years, or until they turn 28, whichever comes later, to bring a civil sexual abuse lawsuit. For first-degree criminal sexual conduct, Michigan law sets no time limit at all.
Trauma frequently keeps survivors silent for years; suppressed memories and fear of disbelief are common reasons for delayed disclosure. You should not assume too much time has passed, only a careful review of your specific facts can determine which deadlines apply.
View All Accused Clergy in Michigan
Pursue Justice With Help From White Law PLLC
Survivors may pursue claims against the abuser’s estate, the diocese, or a religious order, especially where leaders were aware of prior complaints, failed to supervise, concealed misconduct, or neglected proper screening and training. Compensation in these cases can cover therapy and medical expenses, pain and suffering, and emotional distress.
To speak confidentially about what happened, call White Law PLLC at (517) 316-1195 or visit us at . Consultations are free, and we charge no fee unless we recover compensation for you.
Profiles summarize published records and allegations. Inclusion does not constitute a legal finding.