Profile Facts
- Name
- Robert Wyzgoski
- Role
- Priest
- Diocese
- Archdiocese of Detroit
- Ordained
- 1959
- Status
- Sued
- Died
- 12/30/2006
- Records
- Diocesan and public records
Public records name Father Robert Wyzgoski, ordained in 1959, a priest who served in the Archdiocese of Detroit, as accused of sexually abusing minors. As clergy sexual abuse lawyers, the team at White Law PLLC supports Michigan survivors seeking answers about Father Robert Wyzgoski and others like him.
We have organized this profile around the questions survivors ask most: who Father Robert Wyzgoski was, where he worked, what the allegations involve, and what Michigan law allows. If any of this reflects your own experience, support is available.
Sexual Abuse in the Archdiocese of Detroit
When Michigan’s Attorney General opened a statewide investigation of clergy abuse in 2018, the Archdiocese of Detroit came under scrutiny along with the rest of the state’s dioceses. White Law PLLC serves as a Michigan clergy sexual abuse lawyer for people harmed in settings like the ones where Father Robert Wyzgoski served.
From the Archdiocese of Detroit to the Diocese of Gaylord, Michigan’s seven dioceses (Diocese of Grand Rapids, Diocese of Kalamazoo, Diocese of Saginaw, Diocese of Marquette, Diocese of Gaylord, Archdiocese of Detroit, Diocese of Lansing) have all been examined for clergy abuse. The report on the Archdiocese of Detroit adds context to the allegations described here against Father Robert Wyzgoski.
The Allegations Against Father Robert Wyzgoski
Where He Served
Robert Wyzgoski was ordained in 1959 and served in the Archdiocese of Detroit, per published diocesan records. He was removed from ministry in 2002 and listed as “retired.” In 2005, the Vatican upheld Cardinal Maida’s decision to permanently remove him from pastoral duties. He died on December 30, 2006, and was included on the Archdiocese’s June 10, 2019 list of credibly accused clergy.
What Survivors Reported
According to published records, Wyzgoski was accused of abusing teenage girls in the 1960s, with parents complaining about his behavior as early as 1973. He was named in a civil suit filed in 2004.
Wyzgoski died in 2006 and is no longer alive for anyone to pursue criminal charges against him, but civil claims against his estate or the Archdiocese may still be available.
Criminal vs. Civil Sexual Abuse Cases
After abuse by a priest like Father Robert Wyzgoski, Michigan survivors have two legal avenues to consider. The criminal system punishes offenders through prosecution by the state. The civil system lets survivors seek money damages directly. Either option can move forward on its own.
In a civil case, a survivor may sue Father Robert Wyzgoski personally, and if he has died, his estate, as well as the diocese or religious order that employed him. Institutions can be held liable when they knew or should have known about the danger, failed to prevent the abuse, covered it up, or screened and trained priests poorly. Recoverable damages can include medical and therapy costs, pain and suffering, and emotional distress.
Statute of Limitations on Clergy Sexual Abuse Cases in Michigan
Time limits matter for survivors of Father Robert Wyzgoski, and Michigan’s are specific. Michigan Legislature §600.5805 gives survivors of childhood sexual abuse ten years, or until age 28, to file a civil case. On the criminal side, there is no statute of limitations for first-degree criminal sexual conduct.
Many survivors of clergy like Father Robert Wyzgoski do not come forward for years or decades. Trauma can bury memories, and shame or fear can silence victims well into adulthood. Michigan courts and lawmakers recognize this reality, which is why the extended civil window exists, and why speaking with a lawyer promptly still matters.
View All Accused Clergy in Michigan
Pursue Justice With Help From White Law PLLC
Survivors of Father Robert Wyzgoski’s alleged abuse do not have to carry this alone. Contact White Law PLLC at (517) 316-1195 to discuss your case confidentially. Our office is located at, and we serve clients across Michigan.
Consultations are confidential, with no strings attached. Let an attorney who understands clergy abuse cases evaluate your experience with Father Robert Wyzgoski and map out your options.
Profiles summarize published records and allegations. Inclusion does not constitute a legal finding.