Fr. Gavin Griffith – Archdiocese of San Francisco

On Behalf of | Dec 11, 2020 | Abuser Profiles, Catholic Church

Father Gavin Griffith

Archdiocese of San Francisco/Franciscans

Ordained: 1965

Dead: 2017

Assignment History:

  • 1965-1966: St. Mary’s (Stockton, CA)
  • 1966-1979: St. Mary’s (Phoenix, AZ)
  • 1979-1987: Franciscan Renewal Center (Scottsdale, AZ)
  • 1987-1989: Sabbatical
  • 1989-2002: El Retiro Retreat Center (St. Louis, MO)
  • 2002-2005: St. Francis Retreat (San Juan Bautista, CA)
  • 2005-2008: Sabbatical
  • 2009-2011: St. Boniface (San Francisco, CA)
  • 2011-2016: Elder Care Facilities (California)

Summary of Sexual Abuse Allegations against Father Gavin Griffith:

Fr. Gavin Griffith was a member of the Franciscan Friars. In 2019, Griffith was included on a list of priests in the Santa Barbara Province Franciscans list who was named as being “credibly accused” of child sex abuse. The Santa Barbara Province Franciscans notes allegations received in 1987 of sexual abuse of minors from 1979-1985. At the time, Griffith was assigned during those years to the Franciscan Renewal Center in Scottsdale, Arizona.

In addition, in 2019, Griffith was included on a list of priests in the Diocese of Phoenix who was named as being “credibly accused” of child sex abuse. There are no allegations noted in the Diocese of Phoenix.

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.

In 2020, Griffith was included on the Diocese of Stockton list of clergy credibly accused of child sexual abuse.

Information about the age/gender of Griffith’s alleged victim/victims or the nature of the alleged sexual abuse is unknown. 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 Archdiocese of San Francisco in California. If you need a lawyer because you were sexually abused by a priest in one of California’s Catholic dioceses, contact our office today. Although many years have passed, those abused by Catholic clergy in the Archdiocese of San Francisco now have legal options due to a voluntary compensation fund created by the Archdiocese of San Francisco, 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 California and nationwide. We can help.

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