Great Lakes Wire

Today, Neil Kalina, 69, was resentenced to a prison term of 7-15 years for sexually assaulting a minor in 1984. The former priest at St. Kiernan Catholic Church in Shelby Township will also be required to register with the Sex Offender Registry for life. He is currently serving his sentence at the Cooper Street Correctional Facility in Jackson.

Kalina was initially convicted by a Macomb County jury in 2022 on two counts of Second-Degree Criminal Sexual Conduct and sentenced to 7-15 years in prison. However, the Michigan Court of Appeals upheld his conviction in April 2024 but ordered a resentencing due to an error related to the initial sentencing process. The court found that improper consideration of acquitted conduct had affected Kalina's incarceration term.

"While this case has been prolonged, I hope that after 40 years, the victim can find some solace knowing Mr. Kalina will continue to spend years behind bars for this heinous assault," stated Nessel. "My office remains committed to supporting sexual assault survivors and victims of clergy abuse and ensuring their perpetrators are held accountable."

Kalina was among 11 clergymen charged by the Michigan Department of Attorney General’s clergy abuse investigation team. Further details about the investigation or how to provide information can be found on the Department’s website.