Archbishop Allen Vigneron | Archdiocese of Detriot

The Archdiocese of Detroit has announced that Father Tom Urban, a priest within the Archdiocese, has been accused of sexually assaulting a 17-year-old female prior to 2010. The allegation was reported to the Archdiocese on July 27, 2025, and subsequently relayed to the Michigan Attorney General's Office the next day.

Following notification, the Archdiocese communicated with the Attorney General’s Office over several weeks to clarify their intended course of action. On August 27, 2025, the Attorney General's Office informed the Archdiocese it would not pursue criminal prosecution in this matter and authorized the Church to proceed with its own internal review under canonical law.

Father Urban was notified of the accusation and relieved from his duties at the Metropolitan Tribunal. He remains on paid administrative leave while a canonical process is ongoing. According to Church procedures, there is a presumption of innocence during this process. Fr. Urban disputes the allegation.

After receiving clearance from state authorities, a preliminary investigation under canon law was initiated by the Archdiocese. This investigation found that there was a "semblance of truth" to warrant moving forward with canonical proceedings—a standard required by Church law for such cases. The case was also reviewed by the Archdiocesan Review Board, which includes lay professionals from various fields such as law and medicine; they reached a similar conclusion regarding proceeding with further action.

Instead of pursuing a canonical trial, Archbishop Edward Weisenburger accepted Father Urban’s request for voluntary dispensation from clerical duties (laicization). "That petition now will be forwarded to the Holy Father in Rome. Only the Pope may make a final decision regarding such a petition from a priest," according to information provided by church officials.

The statement clarified: "The establishment of a ‘semblance of truth’ in canon law does not serve as a finding of guilt, Likewise, a petition for dispensation from the clerical state is not an admission of any criminal act."

The Archdiocese encourages anyone with knowledge about sexual abuse by clergy or other church representatives to contact local authorities or use its own reporting channels via protect.aod.org or through its victim assistance line at (866) 343-8055.

Father Urban's past assignments included serving as Associate Pastor at St. Paul Parish in Grosse Pointe Farms (2002-2004), Administrator at both St. Patrick Parish and St. Dominic Parish in Detroit (2004-2005), studying canon law in Rome (2005-2011), and serving as Administrator at St. Mark Parish in Warren (2011-2012).