Fr. Michael DeScoise: Accused of Sexual Misconduct

Fr. Michael DeScoise

Ordained: 1975

Assignments within the Archdiocese/Dioceses in Colorado: Pueblo

Assignments:

  • 1976-1978: St. Joseph Church, Salida, CO (PBL)
  • 1979: Unknown
  • 1980-1981: St. Columba Church, Durango, CO (PBL)
  • 1982-1983: Immaculate Heart of Mary Church, Grand Junction, CO (PBL)
  • 1984-1986: Unknown
  • 1987: St. Joseph, Grand Junction, CO (PBL)
  • 1988: Absent On Leave (PBL)
  • 1989-1990: Unknown
  • 1991-1994: St. Mary, Pueblo, CO (PBL)
  • 1995: St. Pius X Church, Peublo, CO (PBL)
  • 1996-1997: St. Mary-Corwin Hospital, Pueblo, CO (PBL)
  • 1998-2000: Unknown
  • 2001-2012: Parkview Hospital, Pueblo, CO (PBL)
  • 2013: Retired

Fr. Michael Descoise was ordained a priest in the Diocese of Pueblo. Fr. Descoise was included in the Colorado Attorney General’s Special Master’s Report on “Roman Catholic Clergy Sexual Abuse of Children in Colorado from 1950 to 2019.” According to the Special Master’s Report, in 2018 a survivor reported to the Diocese of Pueblo that he was sexually abused as a minor by Fr. Descoise in 1986 or 1987 when Fr. Descoise was assigned to St. Joseph’s in Grand Junction, Colorado. Upon investigation, it was found that the Diocese of Pueblo had received numerous reports of Fr. Descoise’s sexual misconduct with adults, but this was purportedly the first allegation of child sexual abuse received by the Diocese. After admitting to multiple sexual acts with adult males, his faculties were suspended in 2016, but were restored in 2017 after reportedly attending counseling in Denver. Following the survivor’s childhood sexual abuse report, Fr. Descoise’s faculties were reportedly suspended again and a report was made to law enforcement. Fr. Descoise’s current status as a priest, his whereabouts, and whether he has access to children are unknown.