Credibly Accused

Search lists of U.S. Catholic clergy that have been deemed credibly accused of sexual abuse or misconduct.

Published Jan. 28, 2020

This database was last updated in January 2020 and should only be used as a historical snapshot of the lists published by dioceses and religious orders. There may be changes to those records that are not reflected here.

If you find an error in the data or would like to suggest changes, contact us.

Diocese of Lansing, Michigan

James Martin Novak

Status: Removed from ministry (2002), Laicization pending

Appeared under the heading: “Diocese of Lansing clergy permanently removed from ministry”

Birth Year: Not reported

Ordination year: 1957

Reported assignment history:

St John the Evangelist, Jackson – Parochial Vicar
St Luke, Flint – Parochial Vicar
St John, Benton Harbor – Parochial Vicar
St Ann, Cassopolis – Pastor
Office of Catholic Education, Lansing Catholic Central High School
St Agnes, Fowlerville – Parochial Administrator
St Joseph, Owosso – Pastor
St Therese, Lansing – Pastor
St Mary, Westphalia – Pastor

If you find an error in the data or would like to suggest changes, contact us.

Sources: U.S Catholic dioceses and religious orders, ProPublica reporting, Pontifical Yearbook (2019)

Data entry by: Tatyana Bellamy-Walker, Grace Haley, Samantha Maldonado, Spencer Norris, Anna Pouza, Lilia Saul

You can download this complete dataset at the ProPublica Data Store.