Fr. Marvin T. Knighton

Ordained: 1975
Status: Acquitted

Diocese: Archdiocese of Milwaukee WI

Parish priest, school teacher, counselor, campus minister. Adopted three boys. Criminally charged in 6/2002 with the sexual assault of a teenage boy, who was a student at Pius XI High School, between 1988 and 1989. In 1993 the alleged victim’s father complained to Knighton who went to the Archdiocese and asked for an investigation to “clear this up.” The Archdiocese did not investigate because there was not a formal complaint. Knighton was found not guilty in 8/2003 by a jury. Two other allegations surfaced, one of abuse of a boy in the 1970s. The Archdiocesan Review Board deemed the allegations credible. In 4/2004 the Bishop asked the Vatican to laicize Knighton. He was laicized in 2011. Knighton claimed Milwaukee owed him about $450K in past wages and benefits. Included in 3/2012 on the Milwaukee archdiocese’s list of offenders. Personnel files released 7/1/2013. Worked in AZ schools. Included in 12/2019 on the Phoenix diocese’s list of accused.

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