myFOXphoenix.com
Updated: Monday, 29 Aug 2011, 5:51 AM MST
Published : Monday, 29 Aug 2011, 5:50 AM MST
Father John Spaulding
GLENDALE, Ariz. – He’s accused of sexual misconduct and according to a Glendale police report, Jack Spaulding is now accused of molesting a 13-year-old boy in 1974.
The report shows the victim, now 50 years old, claims he was touched sexually at a church rectory over a six month period. He alleges that he was given massages and that Spaulding asked his parents to let him spend the night in the rectory.
Police say this could end up in civil court since a statute of limitations has already passed.
In June, Spaulding resigned from St. Timothy’s Catholic Community in Mesa after allegations of abuse from more than 25 years ago surfaced. At that time, police were not investigating any crimes against him.
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Diocese of Phoenix Statement on New Allegation of Sexual Abuse Against Rev. John D. Spaulding
by Communications Office on August 26, 2011 (Diocese of Phoenix website)
August 26, 2011
On June 27, 2011, an adult male contacted the Office of Child and Youth Protection at the Diocese of Phoenix and alleged that Fr. John Spaulding had sexually abused him. The allegations go back 37 years when the priest was serving at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Parish in Glendale.
The caller chose to remain anonymous and did not provide his full name, address or many details regarding the alleged abuse. Paul Pfaffenberger, the Youth Protection Advocate for the Diocese of Phoenix, immediately encouraged the caller to contact the Glendale police.
Later that same day, the caller filed a complaint with the Glendale Police Department to report the assault. Glendale police have not made contact with the Diocese of Phoenix or with Our Lady of Perpetual Help Parish to discuss the allegations. Officials for the Diocese of Phoenix became aware of the police report on Aug. 19. It appears from the police report that the Glendale Police Department does not intend to investigate the allegation, and that it has closed its file on the matter.
Since June 27, neither Mr. Pfaffenberger nor any other Diocesan representative has spoken with the caller. Attempts by Diocesan officials to obtain a statement about the alleged abuse have been referred to the caller’s attorney. Requests to participate in an interview by an outside, independent investigator have been refused by the caller’s attorney.
As of today, Diocesan officials have no specific information about the caller or facts regarding the allegation. As a result, the Diocese does not have enough information to proceed further with an investigation into this matter. To move forward, cooperation from the caller is necessary.
The Diocese can confirm that Fr. Spaulding served at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Parish in Glendale between 1971 and 1975.
Fr. Spaulding was placed on administrative leave June 24, 2011, following a determination by the Diocesan Review Board that a separate allegation of sexual misconduct against the priest was credible. Bishop Thomas J. Olmsted accepted the Diocesan Review Board’s determination, pursuant to the Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People, and the case will be referred to the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith in Rome for further proceedings.
The previous sexual misconduct claim involved actions that allegedly occurred over 25 years ago when Fr. Spaulding was the pastor of St. Maria Goretti Parish in Scottsdale. Fr. Spaulding denies the allegation, and is fully cooperating with the investigation. He has been removed from ministry and his faculties to celebrate Mass publicly have been suspended.
As always, Bishop Olmsted and the Diocese of Phoenix encourage anyone who has experienced sexual misconduct or abuse by a member of the clergy or by any employee or volunteer of the Church to contact local law enforcement and/or Paul Pfaffenberger at the Diocesan Office of Child and Youth Protection at (602) 354-2396.
Media Contacts:
Robert DeFrancesco
Director of Communications
rdefrancesco@diocesephoenix.org
(602) 354-2130
According to the statement from the Phoenix Diocese Communications Office:
“It appears from the police report that the Glendale Police Department does not intend to investigate the allegation, and that it has closed its file on the matter.”
The implication here seems to be that the allegations are without foundation. However, according to the media article of today: “Police say this could end up in civil court since a statute of limitations has already passed.”
There’s not much police can do when the statute of limitations has passed, is there? Why did those who compiled the diocesan statement not make note of the pertinent fact that the statute of limitations has passed?
I didn’t know that there was a statute of limitations in cases of sexual abuse!
There aren’t for criminal prosecutions in Canada Larry, but, unfortunately there are in many of the States and most European countries. Here is a link to info on the statute of limitations in Phoenix:http://www.sexlaws.org/answer_board_question-statue_of_limitations
It’s rather bizarre. There is, for example, according to the latter document, no statute of limitation on “molestation of a child,” but there is a 7 year limitation on “sexual abuse of a minor.” I have no idea what the difference is.
And here is another link: http://www.sol-reform.com/
Click on the “Criminal” link for the following document which lists the statutes of limitations in all of the States:
http://www.sol-reform.com/images/sol_criminal.pdf
Where do the allegations regarding Father Spaulding fit in all of this? I haven’t a clue, but seems police felt that, for whatever reason, the statute of limitations had passed.
Thanks Sylvia.