Fr. John D. Spaulding

Order: SC
Ordained: 1971
Status: Indicted

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

Removed without faculties 6/2011 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 8/2011; no prosecution due to the statute of limitations. Two more accusers came forward. The father of the original victim filed suit in 6/2012; dismissed. Special Tribunal in Rome 1/2014 recommended laicization. In 6/2019 a man alleged Spaulding abused him as a boy. Indicted in 1/2020 related to accusations he abused two boys under age 15 in 2003-2007, while assigned to St. Gabriel’s in Phoenix and St. Timothy’s in Mesa. Per Spaulding’s attorney in 2/2020, the priest was too ill to appear in court for his arraignment. Rescheduled for 3/6/2020, but Spaulding died 2/25/2020.

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