Father Michael DeScoise
Diocese of Pueblo
Ordained: 1975
Assigned as follows:
- 1976-1978: St. Joseph Church, Salida, CO
- 1979: Unknown
- 1980-1981: St. Columba Church, Durango, CO
- 1982-1983: Immaculate Heart of Mary Church, Grand Junction, CO
- 1984-1986: Unknown
- 1987: St. Joseph, Grand Junction, CO
- 1988: Absent On Leave
- 1989-1990: Unknown
- 1991-1994: St. Mary, Pueblo, CO
- 1995: St. Pius X Church, Pueblo, CO
- 1996-1997: St. Mary-Corwin Hospital, Pueblo, CO
- 1998-2000: Unknown
- 2001-2012: Parkview Hospital, Pueblo, CO
- 2013: Retired
- 2014-2021: Unknown
Summary of Sexual Abuse Allegations against Fr. Michael DeScoise:
Fr. Michael DeScoise was ordained a priest in 1975, and served in multiple parishes in the Diocese of Pueblo. According to media reports, in October 2019, the Colorado Attorney General released a detailed report of a special investigation into the handling of child sexual abuse allegations by Colorado’s three Catholic dioceses. For the first time, Fr. Michael DeScoise was publicly identified as a priest with a documented report of sexual abuse.
According to the documents reviewed by the investigators, DeScoise was accused of molesting a 14 year old boy in 1986 or 1987. DeScoise was assigned to St. Joseph in Grand Junction at the time of the incident. The victim said that DeScoise took him on a walk under the pretext of hearing his confession and then sexually assaulted him.
According to the Report, the Diocese of Pueblo received “numerous” reports of DeScoise engaging in sexual activity with adults, but never with a child.
The Bishop of Pueblo has requested that the Vatican investigate the matter since DeScoise denies the allegations and is protesting his removal from ministry. That process is now pending, and DeSoise’s faculties to minister have been suspended.
DeScoise has admitted to sexual contact with multiple adult males, according to the Report.
Horowitz Law is a law firm representing victims and survivors of sexual abuse by Catholic priests and other clergy in the Diocese of Pueblo in Colorado. If you need a lawyer because you were sexually abused by a priest in Colorado, contact our office today. Although many years have passed, those abused by Catholic clergy in the Diocese of Pueblo now have legal options, but filing deadlines will apply so do not delay in reaching out to us. Our lawyers have decades of experience representing survivors of clergy sexual abuse in Colorado and nationwide. We can help.
Contact us at 888-283-9922 or [email protected] to discuss your options today.