Profile Facts
- Name
- Richard T. Szafranski
- Role
- Priest
- Diocese
- Diocese of Saginaw
- Ordained
- 1975
- Status
- Accused
- Records
- Diocesan and public records
The clergy sexual abuse lawyers at White Law PLLC stand with Michigan survivors who were abused by Father Richard T. Szafranski. This profile collects what has been publicly reported about the accusations against him.
Below, we summarize Father Szafranski’s assignments, the reported abuse, and the legal options Michigan survivors still have. No public record lists his death, so criminal charges may still be possible alongside a civil claim. An attorney can assess which path fits a survivor’s situation.
Sexual Abuse in the Diocese of Saginaw
Father Richard T. Szafranski served in the Diocese of Saginaw, one of seven Catholic dioceses in Michigan. The seven, Detroit, Gaylord, Grand Rapids, Kalamazoo, Lansing, Marquette, and Saginaw, span the state where Father Szafranski served.
The 2018 Attorney General investigation into clergy sexual abuse pulled records from dioceses across the entire state, shedding light on cases such as Father Szafranski’s. What investigators uncovered makes legal guidance essential, and a Michigan clergy sexual abuse lawyer can assess whether the Diocese of Saginaw bears responsibility for what Father Szafranski is reported to have done.
The Allegations Against Father Richard T. Szafranski
Where He Served
Father Richard T. Szafranski, ordained in 1975, served in the Diocese of Saginaw. He was permanently removed from ministry.
What Was Reported and Admitted
According to published records, Szafranski was accused in April 2006 of sexual misconduct with a minor female in the mid-1970s and placed on leave. He admitted to ‘a relationship’ with the girl, he was 27 and she was 16 or 17. No criminal charges were filed, because of the statute of limitations and Michigan’s age of consent. Szafranski also admitted to sexual involvement with two other people over the age of 18. He was added to the diocese’s list on April 10, 2019. In the Michigan Attorney General’s June 25, 2026 report on the Diocese of Saginaw, his victim describes her vulnerability as a teenager, his pursuit of her, and the lasting effect the abuse has had on her life.
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 Szafranski. Criminal courts decide guilt and impose sentences; civil courts decide liability and award damages to survivors, including survivors of Father Szafranski.
Criminal Cases
Prosecutors decide whether to file criminal charges connected to Father Szafranski, and a conviction can bring prison time, fines, and registration, though never payment to the survivor.
Filing a Civil Case
A civil lawsuit by a survivor of Father Szafranski is filed by the survivor, uses the lower ‘preponderance of the evidence’ standard, and can result in money damages.
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 Szafranski.
Michigan places no time limit on first-degree criminal sexual conduct charges. Given how trauma and suppressed memories can postpone disclosure, survivors abused by Father Szafranski decades ago should still seek advice.
View All Accused Clergy in Michigan
Pursue Justice With Help From White Law PLLC
Beyond him, survivors can pursue the institutions that put him in contact with children. Where the Diocese of Saginaw knew or should have known about Father Szafranski, failed to act, hid the truth, or failed to screen and train, it may share legal responsibility.
Compensation for survivors of Father Szafranski may include medical and therapy expenses, damages for pain and suffering, and emotional distress. Reach White Law PLLC at (517) 316-1195 or in person at .
Profiles summarize published records and allegations. Inclusion does not constitute a legal finding.