LANSING, Mich. — The Lansing Diocese is trying to come clean, and put the clergy sex abuse scandal behind it.
Bishop Earl Boyea making good on his promise Friday to release the names of Priests who were credibly accused of abuse.
One of them is Joseph Aubin, who still lives in Mid-Michigan.
The 84 year-old was ordained in 1961, and was removed from public ministry last year after his alleged victim came forward.
Aubin currently lives at a housing complex for retired Priests owned by the Lansing Diocese in DeWitt.
The Director of the Saint Francis Retreat Center next door says Aubin approached him months ago to tell him about the alleged incident.
"He told me that there was something that happened between him and his student 50 some years ago" said Father David Rosenberg.
Father Rosenberg says he doesn't know specific details of the alleged abuse, or how old the victim was at the time.
"It was a one occurrence over 50 years ago and the thing I would've looked for is repeat behavior that would've come forward and I think that's why I'm sure the Bishop published his name with the Attorney General."
David Kerr with the Catholic Diocese of Lansing says Aubin admitted the incident occurred which is why his name was published, Aubin himself hasn't admitted anything publicly.
He was removed from public ministry in 2018 after his victim told the Diocese.
"There was an internal risk assessment carried out internally that deemed him to be low-risk due to the nature of the incident and his infirmity, he's 84" said Kerr.
Low-risk means the Diocese felt there was a low chance Aubin would abuse anyone else.
"I was just trying to be compassionate in Father Joe's anguish that something he thought was fairly innocent was not so innocent. He is remorseful for what happened and sick about it that its come up 50 years later. He's just trying to live a quiet retired life. I'm here to support the victims and I'm here to support Father Joe."
Kerr says an external risk assessment on Aubin is being conducted by the Religious Sisters of Mercy of Alma.
Based on what they recommend, Aubin's future with the Catholic Priesthood hangs in the balance.
We reached out to Genessee County Persecutors about why Aubin wasn't charged.
They say the victim did not file a police report and it wasn't reported to the Diocese until last year.
Attorney General Dana Nessel put out a statement about the release of the names.
"The Lansing Diocese has taken an important step today by publicly sharing information about Priests who have been credibly accused of abusing minors. We welcome this transparency by the Diocese and will continue to work on our own efforts to pursue justice for the victims of clergy abuse."
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