Father Gavin Griffith, OFM
Franciscan Friars
Diocese of Phoenix
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.
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