Fr. William J. Groves

Ordained: 1980
Status: Guilty plea

Diocese: Diocese of Pueblo CO

Included in the 10/22/2019 CO Attorney General’s Report. Took in runaway Native American and Hispanic children; gave them drugs and alcohol. Previously worked in MO, NE and KS. Pled guilty in 1990 to the 1989 sexual assault of a 14-year-old boy when pastor of St. Ignatius in Ignacio. Sentenced to 90 days in jail and 4 years probation. Sent to treatment. Left the priesthood. Admitted in 1992 to abusing 4 “Ute boys.” Spent 10 years working in OK as a counselor and chaplain at a drug and alcohol rehab center. Fired in 2002 when his past was discovered. Report in 2004 of abuse of of a boy, ages 8-15, 1982-1989. Groves denied it. Accused in 2009 of abuse of boy, age 12-13, repeatedly 1987-1988, and giving him alcohol and marijuana. Named in a 2009 civil suit by two men in CO. Became affiliated with the “Spiritual Light Center” in Franklin, NC; still active there in 2019. In 3/2025 is retired and living in NC. 


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