Sexual Abuse Allegations Against Father James Sullivan

This page outlines the assignments, credible allegations of child sexual abuse, and institutional actions involving Father James Sullivan, as part of the Injury Lawyer Team’s legal representation of survivors in Catholic clergy abuse cases.

• Primary Entity Name: James Stephen Sullivan
• Common Variations / Aliases: Bishop James Sullivan, Bishop James S. Sullivan, Fr. James Sullivan, James S. Sullivan
• Role/Title at Time of Incident: Catholic Priest, Priest in Residence, Auxiliary Bishop
• Current Status: Deceased

Public Identification and Clergy Status

Father James Sullivan was publicly identified by Church authorities as the subject of two credible allegations of sexual abuse of minors. The Diocese of Lansing announced that, following investigation and review, its diocesan review board concluded the allegations “appear to be true,” and stated that both the Diocese of Lansing and the Diocese of Fargo would add him to their lists of clergy with credible accusations of sexual misconduct with a minor. 

Entity that Listed Him:

• Diocese of Lansing
• Diocese of Fargo 

Reason for Listing: Two allegations of sexual abuse of minors were deemed credible following investigation and review board assessment. 

Key Status Facts

Ordination Year: 1955 

Years in active ministry: Documented diocesan assignments and leadership roles span the 1950s through retirement in 2002 

Locations where he served: Michigan and North Dakota 

Restrictions placed: Public disclosures state he was deceased when the allegations were deemed credible, and both dioceses stated they would list him; no additional restrictions during his lifetime are described in the diocesan announcements. 

Removal, resignation, reassignment: Retired as Bishop of Fargo in 2002. 

Laicization: Not described in the diocesan disclosures for this individual. 

Public disclosure/listing date: July 2, 2021 (Diocese of Lansing announcement). 

Assignment History in Primary Diocese or Order

Primary Diocese/Archdiocese: Diocese of Lansing 

The Diocese of Lansing published a detailed life and career summary that includes specific assignments and date ranges. These assignments establish the documented locations and institutional settings relevant to the allegations.

Parish Assignments:

• St. Luke Parish, Flint, Michigan (July 1955–June 1958) 
• St. Mary Cathedral, Lansing, Michigan (June 1958–September 1960) 
• St. Joseph Parish, St. Joseph, Michigan (June 1961–June 1965) 
• Resurrection Parish, Lansing, Michigan (June 1965–August 1966) 
• Resurrection Parish, Lansing, Michigan, in residence (August 1966–1978) 
• St. Thomas Aquinas Parish, East Lansing, Michigan, pastor (February 1978–1985) 

Non-Church Assignments:

• Secretary to the Bishop, Diocese of Lansing (September 1960–June 1961)
• Secretary to the Bishop, Diocese of Lansing (August 1966–July 1969) 
• Vice Chancellor, Diocese of Lansing (August 1968–September 1972) 
• Auxiliary Bishop of Lansing, Diocese of Lansing (September 1972–April 1985) 
• Temporary Administrator, Diocese of Lansing (May–December 1975) 
• Bishop of Fargo, Diocese of Fargo, North Dakota (installed May 30, 1985; retired March 18, 2002) 

Known Allegations

Father James Sullivan was publicly identified as the subject of two allegations of sexual abuse of minors that Church authorities determined were credible following investigation and review. 

The Diocese of Lansing reported that both accusations date to the mid-1960s, when he was a priest in residence at Resurrection Parish in Lansing, Michigan. The diocese stated that both alleged victims were boys and described grooming behavior and inappropriate contact. 

According to the Diocese of Lansing’s public statement, the first alleged victim was approximately 12 years old in 1964 when then Father Sullivan subjected him to inappropriate touching and uninvited sexualized conversations, with the described pattern continuing over the next two years. 

The second alleged victim was approximately 11 to 12 years old in 1966, and the diocese reported that Sullivan inappropriately touched him. The diocese stated that the incidents occurred at Resurrection Parish in Lansing, where Sullivan resided at the time. 

The Diocese of Lansing also stated that it opened a new investigation in July 2020 after receiving an allegation from the Michigan Department of Attorney General, and that during that investigation, a second allegation emerged. The diocese reported that the results were forwarded to its review board, which concluded the allegations “appear to be true.” 

The diocese further noted that it had previously received an allegation in 2002 that was deemed not credible at the time, and that it asked the investigator and review board to reconsider it. Still, the board concluded there was insufficient evidence to determine whether it was true or false. 

Summary: Church authorities determined that two allegations of sexual abuse of minors against Father James Sullivan were credible, and stated that he would be included on diocesan lists of clergy with credible accusations. 

Overseeing Authorities During Key Periods:

• Bishop Joseph H. Albers — Diocese of Lansing (diocesan bishop during the 1964 period referenced in the diocesan summary, and the ordaining bishop listed by the Diocese of Fargo) 
• Bishop Alexander M. Zaleski — Diocese of Lansing (diocesan bishop beginning in 1965; Sullivan later served as private secretary to Bishop Zaleski, according to the diocese) 
• Bishop Kenneth Povish — Diocese of Lansing (Sullivan served as auxiliary bishop assisting Bishop Povish during part of his episcopal service) 

Institutional Actions and Review

The Diocese of Lansing stated that it initiated an investigation in July 2020 after receiving an allegation from the Michigan Department of Attorney General. The diocesan statement describes an investigation conducted by a private investigator with law-enforcement experience, followed by a review-board evaluation. 

The diocese reported that the review board concluded that the two allegations “appear to be true,” and that it would add Sullivan to its list of clergy with credible allegations.

The Diocese of Lansing further stated that the Diocese of Fargo, where Sullivan later served as bishop, would also add him to its list of clergy with credible accusations and that neither diocese was aware of allegations arising from his years in North Dakota. 

For survivors seeking additional information about publicly identified clergy, see the Injury Lawyer Team’s accused priests list for Michigan. 

Timeline

June 4, 1955 — Ordained to the priesthood 

July 1955–June 1958 — St. Luke Parish, Flint, Michigan 

June 1958–September 1960 — St. Mary Cathedral, Lansing, Michigan 

September 1960–June 1961 — Secretary to the Bishop, Diocese of Lansing 

June 1961–June 1965 — St. Joseph Parish, St. Joseph, Michigan 

1964–1966 — Alleged misconduct described by the Diocese of Lansing as occurring while Sullivan resided at Resurrection Parish, Lansing, Michigan 

June 1965–August 1966 — Resurrection Parish, Lansing, Michigan 

August 1966–1978 — In residence, Resurrection Parish, Lansing, Michigan 

September 1972–April 1985 — Auxiliary Bishop of Lansing 

May–December 1975 — Temporary Administrator, Diocese of Lansing 

February 1978–1985 — Pastor, St. Thomas Aquinas Parish, East Lansing, Michigan 

May 30, 1985 — Installed as Bishop of Fargo, North Dakota 

March 18, 2002 — Retired as Bishop of Fargo

June 12, 2006 — Died 

July 2020 — Diocese of Lansing opened an investigation after receiving an allegation from the Michigan Department of Attorney General 

July 2, 2021 — Diocese of Lansing announced two allegations were deemed credible; stated Lansing and Fargo would list him

Speak With an Attorney

If you or someone you know was sexually abused by Father James Sullivan or another Catholic clergy member in Michigan, you may still have legal options. Contact us to book a confidential consultation with a Michigan clergy abuse lawyer. 

Sources and Public Records

This page is based on public records, official Church disclosures, legal filings, and survivor reports, including the following:

• The Diocese of Lansing’s July 2, 2021, public announcement describing its investigation, review board findings, and the reported time frame and location of the allegations involving Father James Sullivan.
• The Diocese of Fargo’s official past bishops page confirms Sullivan’s ordination date, appointment, installation, retirement, and death as Bishop of Fargo.
• Public reporting summarizing the Diocese of Lansing’s determination that the allegations were credible and confirming the diocesan decision to list Sullivan among clergy with credible accusations.

No criminal conviction is implied unless explicitly stated in public court records or official Church reports.

All content undergoes thorough legal review by experienced attorneys, including Jonathan Rosenfeld. With 25 years of experience in personal injury law and over 100 years of combined legal expertise within our team, we ensure that every article is legally accurate, compliant, and reflects current legal standards.