Former Shelby Township Priest Resentenced to 7-15 Years for Second-Degree Criminal Sexual Conduct

LANSING – Today, Neil Kalina, 69, formerly of Shelby Township, was resentenced to 7-15 years’ incarceration for sexually assaulting a 14-year-old child in 1984. His sentence includes an order for lifetime registration with the Sex Offender Registry. Kalina was a priest at St. Kiernan Catholic Church in Shelby Township from 1982-1985 and is currently incarcerated at the Cooper Street Correctional Facility in Jackson. 

Kalina was convicted of two counts of Second-Degree Criminal Sexual Conduct by a Macomb County jury in 2022 and sentenced to 7-15 years’ incarceration. The Michigan Court of Appeals affirmed his conviction in April of 2024 but ordered resentencing due to a technical error during the initial sentencing. The Court determined that improper consideration of acquitted conduct had impacted the calculation of 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,” Nessel said. “My office remains committed to supporting sexual assault survivors and victims of clergy abuse and ensuring their perpetrators are held accountable.” 

Kalina was one of 11 clergymen charged by the Michigan Department of Attorney General’s clergy abuse investigation team. For more information on the Attorney General’s clergy abuse investigation or to submit information, visit the Department’s website.