He also involved himself with the activities of Hispanic, Vietnamese, and African-American Catholics in his diocese. In 2002, Mengeling removed from ministry Vincent DeLorenzo, a priest in a Flint, Michigan parish. A young man had accused DeLorenzo of sexually abusing him when he was a minor and DeLorenzo admitted his guilt. The diocese forwarded the accusation to the Genesee County Michigan district attorney and asked the Vatican to defrock DeLorenzo. In 2003, In response to sexual misconduct scandals among the clergy, Mengeling instituted the Virtus program in 2003 and visited retreats for victims of sexual abuse. Also in 2003, he issued a statement on the war in Iraq, calling for "a swift end to hostilities and commitment to reconciliation..." Pope Benedict VI accepted Mengeling's retirement as bishop of the Diocese of Lansing on February 27, 2008. He was succeeded by Bishop Earl Boyea. See also Catholic Church hierarchy Catholic Church in the United States Historical list of the Catholic bishops of the United States List of Catholic bishops of the United States Lists of patriarchs, archbishops, and bishops References External links Diocese of Lansing Virtus program Episcopal succession 1930 births Living people Converts to Roman Catholicism from Lutheranism Pontifical University of Saint Thomas Aquinas alumni Alphonsian Academy alumni Benedictine University faculty Saint Meinrad Seminary and School of Theology alumni People from Hammond, Indiana Roman Catholic Diocese of Gary Roman Catholic bishops of Lansing 20th-century Roman Catholic bishops in the United States 21st-century Roman Catholic bishops in the United States Participants in the Second Vatican Council People from Munster, Indiana People from Griffith, Indiana Religious leaders from Indiana Catholics from Indiana