Tag: Cambridge

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Chris Lee

Diocese of Madison statement regarding retired priest’s arrest and court appearance; accusations of sexual abuse of a minor

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MADISON — The Diocese of Madison offers the following brief statement, regarding the recent arrest and initial appearance in court of a retired priest of the diocese, Fr. William Nolan:

The diocese recently learned that Fr. William Nolan (64) was arrested by the Fort Atkinson police, with charges pending. Today, we were informed that he has been charged with six counts of second-degree sexual assault of a minor (under the age of 16), as documented in the formal criminal complaint, filed today in Jefferson County Circuit Court.

Upon learning of his arrest and pending charges a diocesan representative contacted the Fort Atkinson police assuring them of our full cooperation.

Simultaneously, and although Father Nolan has been retired since 2007 and does not hold any ecclesiastical office or function, Bishop Robert C. Morlino placed him on what is commonly called “administrative leave,” as required by the Essential Norms in force in the dioceses of the USA. This includes a total exclusion from any exercise of priestly ministry while the matter is pending. The diocese also began its own canonical process of investigating these allegations, and the diocesan Sexual Abuse Review Board was engaged.

Father Nolan retired from full-time ministry in the diocese in 2007, at his request. His last assignment was as pastor of St. Joseph Parish, Fort Atkinson, from 2002-2007. This is when and where the allegations being investigated are claimed to have taken place. They were brought directly to the civil authorities in Fort Atkinson and were only shared with Church officials as Father Nolan’s arrest was set in motion. This is the very first the diocese has heard of these accusations.

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On
Dick Rydecki

Other Knights of Columbus councils formed since 2000

To the editor:

I congratulate my brother knights in Cambridge for how quickly you formed a new Knights of Columbus council. Your church, council, and community will benefit greatly from your commitment to the Robert C. Timmerman Council of St. Pius X Parish. You will be proud of the results of your efforts in the coming years.

The article appearing in a recent issue of the Catholic Herald contained an excellent review of the history of the Knights of Columbus and the projects the knights get involved in. It must have been a thrill for Fr. David Timmerman to have the council named after his father.

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