Fr. Lawrence M. / Jerome M. Spellen, O.S.M.
Ordained, 1946
Notes: Fr. Lawrence M. Spellen was ordained Fr. Jerome M. Spellen in the Diocese of Rockford in Illinois. Fr. Spellen was a member of the Servites until 1953 when he entered the Diocese of Salt Lake City. Fr. Spellen bounced around numerous parishes and assignments throughout his career. In 1975, it is believed Fr. Spellen began working at Damien Memorial High School in Honolulu, Hawaii where he sexually abused at least one minor boy. Fr. Spellen told Bishop Weigand in 1993 that he was being accused of sexual misconduct during the mid-1980’s. Diocesan officials in Salt Lake City investigated the matter and found merit in the accusations. Fr. Spellen was placed on leave and the matter was reported to child protective services. In 2013, Fr. Spellen was named in a civil lawsuit in Hawaii for the sexual abuse of the boy at Damien Memorial High School. From 1988 until his death, Fr. Spellen’s status as a priest, his whereabouts, and whether he had access to children are unknown.
Assignments within the Archdiocese/Diocese(s) in Colorado: Denver
Assignments:
1946-1948 Assumption, Denver, CO (DEN)
1949-1952 St. Joseph Seminary, Elgin, IL (RCK)
1953-1954 Our Lady of Mt. Carmel, Denver, CO (DEN)
1954-1956 St. Theresa of the Child Jesus, Midvale, UT (SLC)
1957-1958 St. Patrick’s, Salt Lake City, UT (SLC)
1959-1968 Our Lady of Lourdes, Magna, UT (SLC)
1969-1970 St. Olaf, Bountiful, UT (SLC)
1971 St. Pius X, Moab, UT (Mission: Sacred Heart, La Sal) (SLC)
1972 Absent on Leave (SLC)
1973 St. Theresa, Oahu, Honolulu, HI (HON)
1974 Our Lady of Guadalupe, Salt Lake City, UT (SLC)
1975 Unknown
1976 Cathedral of Our Lady of Peace, Oahu, Honolulu, HI (HON)
1977-1979 Palma High School, Salinas, CA (MRY)
1980 St. James the Greater, Vernal, UT (SLC)
1981-1982 Palma High School, Salinas, CA (MRY)
1983-1987 St. Patrick’s, Salt Lake City, UT (SLC)
1988-2003 Retired (SLC)
2003 Died