Fr. John D. Spaulding

Order: SC
Ordained: 1971
Status: Indicted

Died: 02/25/2020
Diocese: Diocese of Phoenix AZ

Removed without faculties 6/11 when accused of sexual misconduct with a minor in the mid-1980s at St. Maria Goretti in Scottsdale. Review board found allegation credible. County Attorney did not investigate because alleged victim was deceased. A second man filed a complaint 8/11; no prosecution due to SOL. Two more accusers came forward. Father of original victim filed suit 6/12; dismissed. Special Tribunal in Rome 1/14 recommended laicization. In 6/19 a man alleged Spaulding abused him as a boy. Indicted in 1/20 related to accusations he abused two boys under age 15 in 2003-07, while assigned to St. Gabriel’s in Phoenix and St. Timothy’s in Mesa. Per Spaulding’s attorney in 2/20, the priest was too ill to appear in court for his arraignment. Rescheduled for 3/6/20, but Spaulding died 2/25/20.

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