Spaulding engaged in sexual misconduct with three other individuals when they were minors in the 1970s and 1980s. In July and August of that same year, three additional claims were made, alleging that Fr. Q&A: General Information About Church Court Process.Q&A: Judgment Reached in Ecclesiastical Trial.Timothy Parish in Mesa following an investigation and determination that an allegation against him of sexual misconduct with a minor was credible, meaning that the allegation appeared to have a semblance of truth and therefore warranted direction from the Holy See. Spaulding was placed on administrative leave from St. Spaulding would no longer be permitted to function in any way as a priest of the Church and could not identify himself as a Catholic priest. Spaulding and confirmation by the Holy See. Spaulding has the right to appeal and has a canon lawyer representing him throughout the court process.Īs a result of the judgment, the penalty of laicization would become effective upon finalization of the case by the CDF, following the completion of any appeal made by Fr. Spaulding be dismissed from the clerical state, a process commonly known as “laicization.” Fr. The special tribunal recommended that Fr. The three-judge panel was made up of priests from around the country with doctorates in canon law.

The panel was convened at the direction of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith in Rome and tasked with the responsibility of investigating abuse allegations against Fr. The judgment was reached by an independent panel of three judges from around the country. John Spaulding guilty of sins against the Sixth Commandment with a minor, stemming from four accusations of sexual abuse against the priest. A special tribunal has notified the Diocese of Phoenix that it has found Fr.

Catholic 6th commandment