MANISTIQUE, MI-- A retired priest from the Marquette Diocese will not be charged with sexually abusing male minors, even though officials deemed the accusations credible.
The incidents allegedly happened in the late ‘90s when Father James Menapace was retired from active ministry.
Schoolcraft County prosecutor Tim Noble says the statute of limitations says charges must be filed within ten years of the offense or before the victim’s 21st birthday, whichever is greater. The prosecutor’s office received information about the allegations in February of this year.
Menapace has been removed from all public priestly ministry.
Anyone who has additional information regarding Menapace is urged to call the Schoolcraft County Prosecutor’s Office at 341-3691, or the Michigan State Police St. Ignace post and speak with Detective Chris Wayward.