Molestation allegations against Arizona ex-priest still unresolved years after indictment

Lauren Castle
Arizona Republic
Joseph Henn

Court proceedings for a former priest accused of sexually abusing multiple children in Maricopa County are continuing more than 17 years after his indictment. 

Joseph Henn, 72, was extradited in June 2019, years after fleeing to Italy. He is accused of abusing at least three boys while serving as a priest at St. Mark's Catholic Church in Phoenix from 1978 to 1982. He was an associate pastor at the parish. 

One of the victims told The Arizona Republic his mother begged the Roman Catholic Diocese of Phoenix to take action against Henn so he wouldn't harm any more children. 

Henn fled to Italy in 2003 after being indicted and was placed on house arrest in 2005 because he refused to cooperate with his extradition, his lawyer at the time told the media. 

Italian authorities handed Henn over to the U.S. Marshals Service and he was extradited in 2019. 

He faces charges for multiple counts of child molestation, sexual conduct with a minor and attempt to commit sexual conduct with a minor. 

According to a March motion filed by Henn's attorney, prosecutors and defense are continuing negotiations on a settlement "part of which has been hindered for COVID-19 related reasons." 

During a settlement conference on Friday, prosecutors and defense agreed to schedule another hearing for June 18. 

Robert Pastor, lawyer for the victims, told The Republic his clients believe Henn must be held accountable. 

"Whether justice is served by way of guilty plea or jury verdict, these survivors are committed to making sure Father Henn is held accountable for the crimes he committed," Pastor said. "We firmly believe that by shining a light on Father Henn and his sexual abuse of children, our community will be made more safe." 

History of allegations 

According to a 1982 letter by the director of the Society of the Divine Savior Salvatorian Order to former Bishop Thomas O’Brien, Henn was transferred from St. Mark’s to a teaching position at the now-closed Gerard High School. 

The bishop was informed Dennis Pecore would be replacing Henn. Pecore is also accused of sexually abusing children during his time as a priest in Maricopa County. 

The diocese reached a settlement involving Henn and another victim in 2006. The victim received $50,000 from the diocese. 

A civil lawsuit was filed against Henn, the Salvatorian Order and the Diocese of Phoenix in 2020 under the Arizona Child Victims Act.

In an oral argument in February, the diocese and the Salvatorian Order asked the court to dismiss the civil lawsuit. The diocese argued federal bankruptcy law prevents the victim and other people from making similar claims against the church. The diocese filed a bankruptcy petition in 2013. 

The Salvatorian Order argued that Henn's victim hasn't shown sufficient evidence that the entity knew about the abuse and that it actually happened. 

Evaluations on abuse: 'Seeks teenagers' 

Court records detail the knowledge of the Salvatorian Order on Henn’s allegations. According to the records, Henn was evaluated multiple times during his time in ministry. 

A 1984 report from Dr. Anthony Gillette to the order’s director of personnel, Dennis Thiessen, describes Henn’s time in Phoenix. Gillette said he and another member of the Provincial Board learned of interactions between Henn and a young man at St. Mark's. 

“During his years in Phoenix, Joe had become very close to a young man of the parish (age 14 to 18 during Joe’s years there), and had developed a physical genital relationship with him,” Gillette wrote. 

According to the report, Henn confirmed the allegation when confronted by a board member and received therapy. Henn’s therapist believed the abuse was due to the priest’s lack of spiritual intimacy with the congregation. 

Henn tried to transfer to another order. However, he was denied due to reports of his actions.

According to a letter by the Salvatorian Order to the Bishop of the Diocese of Sacramento, Henn was working at Loretto High School in California. The principal of the school informed Dennis Thiessen, the order’s director of personnel, in 1984 that Henn’s contract would not be renewed. 

Barry Griffin, a priest with the order, reported to Gillette in 1984 about his evaluation of Henn. In the report he stated Henn was in “real need to be loved." 

“Real need to be loved and to love, but doesn’t know how to do this on peer level,” he wrote. “Therefore seeks teenagers.” 

Years in Italy

When Henn fled to Italy, the Salvatorian Order said it could not force him to return to the U.S., according to a 2005 report by The Republic. 

The Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests told The Republic in 2006 Henn was staying at the Salvatorian Order's headquarters near the Vatican. He disappeared days before an Italian court ordered his extradition.

He was removed from ministry by the order in 2006. 

Henn isn't the only priest who fled from Arizona after abuse allegations. 

Patrick Colleary faced multiple sexual abuse claims while serving in the Valley. He fled to Ireland and has not returned.

Juan Guillen was sentenced to prison for sexually abusing children. He was released in 2011 and was ordered to serve probation. The former priest violated his probation and is missing. 

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