Fr. Robert Whipkey: Substantiated Claims of Sexual Abuse of a Minor

Fr. Robert Whipkey

Ordained: 1983

Assignments within the Archdiocese/Diocese(s) in Colorado: Denver

Assignments:

  • 1983-1984: St. John the Baptist, Boulder, CO (DEN)
  • 1984-1987: Notre Dame, Denver, CO (DEN)
  • 1988: Unknown
  • 1989-1990: St. Jude, Lakewood, CO (DEN)
  • 1990-1995: St. Andrew’s, Yuma, CO (DEN)
  • 1995-1999: St. Catherine of Siena, Denver, CO; Sacred Heart, Peetz, CO; Northeastern Junior College, Sterling, CO; St. Anthony, Denver, CO (DEN)
  • 1999-2000: Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, Denver, CO; St. Catherine of Siena, Denver, CO; Sacred Heart, Peetz, CO; Northeastern Junior College, Sterling, CO (DEN)
  • 2000-2003: St. Scholastica, Erie, CO; St. Theresa, Frederick, CO; St. Catherine of Siena, Denver, CO; Sacred Heart, Peetz, CO; Northeastern Junior College, Sterling, CO (DEN)
  • 2003-2007: St. Scholastica, Erie, CO; St. Theresa, Frederick, CO (DEN)
  • 2007-2019: Unknown

Fr. Robert Whipkey was ordained a priest in the Archdiocese of Denver. Fr. Whipkey 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, Fr. Whipkey sexually abused four minor boys at Sanborn Camps in Florissant, Colorado in 1988. The boys reported the alleged abuse by Fr. Whipkey to the Archdiocese that same year. The Archdiocese, after interviewing Fr. Whipkey, some of boys, and all 8 of the boys’ parents, determined that Fr. Whipkey was “not a danger or risk to any third person.” Fr. Whipkey was reportedly sent for a 3-day evaluation at the St. Louis Consultation Center and received individual therapy for one year. His therapist allegedly reported to the Archdiocese that therapy alone would not protect children from sexual abuse by Fr. Whipkey in the future, but the Archdiocese reinstated Fr. Whipkey to ministry despite the report. In 2007, Fr. Whipkey, while assigned to St. Scholastica and St. Theresa, was arrested for indecent exposure, reportedly having been jogging naked. The Archdiocese purportedly placed Fr. Whipkey on leave. Fr. Whipkey’s current status as a priest, his whereabouts, and whether he has access to children are unknown.