Fr. Robert Whipkey

Named publicly as accused in the CO A.G. report 10/22/2019. In 1998, during a four-day field trip to a camp in Florissant CO, Whipkey, as chaperone, shared a cabin with four sixth-grade boys. Their parents complained to the archdiocese that Whipkey was naked much of the time in the cabin and put shaving cream on the boys’ faces while naked to wake them up at least one morning. Pastor of St. Anthony’s in Sterling, Sacred Heart in Peetz, and St. Catherine in Iliff during that time. Required to receive therapy, and was sent to St. Louis for a three-day evaluation. He first denied, then later admitted to a sexual motivation for his behavior. After a year and five months, and despite his therapist’s warning, he was reassigned without restrictions to the Cathedral in Denver. Arrested in 6/2007 for walking down a street nude. Placed on leave in 8/2007 after publicity. Convicted in 6/2008 of indecent exposure. Sentenced to five-years probation, community service, and to register as a sex offender. Accused, along with two other priests, of sexually abusing a boy during 1979-1989. The abuse allegedly occurred in various locations, including at the St. Thomas Seminary library and Camp St. Malo in Allenspark, where different priests would rape him. The priests are said to have threatened to kill the boy’s family if he told. Whipkey denied the allegations.