Profile Facts
- Name
- Joseph P. Femminineo
- Role
- Priest
- Diocese
- Archdiocese of Detroit
- Ordained
- 1958
- Status
- Accused
- Died
- 5/1/2020
- Records
- Diocesan and public records
Father Joseph P. Femminineo resigned from St. Rita Parish in Holly in October 1996 after old allegations of sexual misconduct involving minors surfaced. Six years later, in 2002, the resignation became public; in May 2005, the Archdiocese of Detroit announced that the Vatican had permanently barred Femminineo from public ministry. Our clergy sexual abuse lawyers created this page to compile the sourced record on Femminineo, who was ordained in 1958 and died in May 2020.
His assignments included the all-girls Ladywood High School in Livonia from 1985 to 1987. Because Femminineo died on May 1, 2020, criminal prosecution is no longer possible, but civil claims against his estate or the archdiocese may still be pursued, as explained below.
Sexual Abuse in the Archdiocese of Detroit
The Archdiocese of Detroit is Michigan’s largest diocese, one of seven statewide along with Gaylord, Grand Rapids, Kalamazoo, Lansing, Marquette, and Saginaw. The Michigan Attorney General’s investigation into clergy sexual abuse, launched in 2018, examined how Detroit handled accused priests, including those assigned to schools like Ladywood. As a Michigan clergy sexual abuse lawyer, White Law PLLC follows those findings to support survivors’ cases.
When a priest is placed in an all-girls school, parents trust the institution completely. Survivors abused in Detroit archdiocese schools or parishes continue to come forward, and an attorney can investigate what the archdiocese knew about Femminineo before and after the 1996 resignation.
The Allegations Against Father Joseph P. Femminineo
Where He Served
According to published records, Femminineo was ordained in 1958 and served in the Archdiocese of Detroit. His assignments included the all-girls Ladywood High School in Livonia in 1985–1987 and St. Rita Parish in Holly, from which he resigned on October 20, 1996, after old allegations surfaced. He died on May 1, 2020.
What Survivors Reported
Published accounts state that it was announced in 2002 that Femminineo had resigned from St. Rita Parish in Holly in 1996 after old allegations of sexual misconduct involving minors came to light. In May 2005, the archdiocese announced that the Vatican had permanently barred him from public ministry. On June 10, 2019, the Archdiocese of Detroit included Femminineo on its public list of credibly accused clergy. He died in May 2020, so he is no longer alive for anyone to pursue criminal charges against him, though civil remedies may remain.
Criminal vs. Civil Sexual Abuse Cases
A criminal case is the state’s case: prosecutors charge the offender and seek punishment, including prison. A civil case is the survivor’s case: the survivor sues and seeks financial compensation. The civil case stands on its own even if no criminal case is possible.
Femminineo died in 2020, so he is no longer alive for anyone to pursue criminal charges against him. Survivors may still bring civil claims against his estate, the school, or the archdiocese.
Statute of Limitations on Clergy Sexual Abuse Cases in Michigan
Michigan Legislature §600.5805 gives survivors generally ten years, or until age 28, whichever is later, to file a civil sexual abuse lawsuit. For first-degree criminal sexual conduct, Michigan law sets no deadline.
Many survivors bury these memories for years before they can confront them. That is a normal response to trauma, not a legal conclusion, only a lawyer reviewing your timeline can say whether a claim is still timely.
View All Accused Clergy in Michigan
Pursue Justice With Help From White Law PLLC
Liability may extend beyond the abuser to the institutions that placed him around children, where they knew or should have known of prior allegations, failed to screen or supervise, or covered up complaints. Survivors have recovered damages for medical and therapy expenses, pain and suffering, and emotional distress.
Contact White Law PLLC at (517) 316-1195 or at . Consultations are free and confidential, and there is no fee unless we win your case.
Profiles summarize published records and allegations. Inclusion does not constitute a legal finding.