Father Gavin Griffith, OFM
Ordained: 1965
Died: 2017
Assigned in Diocese of Phoenix as Follows:
- Franciscan Renwal Center, Scottsdale, 1979-85
- St. Mary's Basilica (Phoenix, AZ)
- Director, Diocese of Phoenix Alcohol and Drug program
Summary of Sexual Abuse Allegations against Father Gavin Griffith, OFM:
According to a list of accused clergy published by the Franciscan Friars, Province of St. Barbara (California), Fr. Gavin Griffith is accused of sexually abusing multiple minors between 1979 and 1985, while assigned in the Diocese of Phoenix. No details were provided by the province as to the age/gender of his victims, nor the nature of the sexual abuse. The Order has said only that the allegations were deemed credible after an internal investigation.
According to his published assignment history, Griffith was placed "on sabbatical" several times in his ministry career, starting in 1987. While no information has been provided as to the reasons for these sabbaticals, it is certainly a "red flag" that would merit additional investigation in a court case. It is not unusual for serial sexual abusers to be placed on sabbatical pending inpatient treatment and evaluation following allegations of abuse.
Griffith died in 2017.
Horowitz Law is a law firm representing victims and survivors of sexual abuse by Catholic priests and other clergy in the Roman Catholic Diocese of Phoenix. If you need a lawyer because you were sexually abused by a priest in Arizona, contact our office today. Although many years have passed, those abused by Catholic clergy in the Roman Catholic Diocese of Phoenix now have legal options to recover damages due to a change in Arizona laws. Contact us toll-free at 888-283-9922 or email us at adam@adamhorowitzlaw.com today.