Suit filed, alleges child abused in 60s at Diocese of Winona

Priest named in suit died in 2005

Another civil lawsuit has been filed against the Diocese of Winona, this time alleging sexual abuse of a teenager in 1962.

The suit was filed Tuesday on behalf of the victim. A criminal complaint says Father Richard Hatch was a priest at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Winona when he allegedly sexually abused a boy who was 13 or 14 years old at the time.

The complaint alleges the diocese knew about Hatch’s behavior, but did not address the misconduct.

Hatch died in 2005 and was one of 14 priests named by the diocese a few years ago in a list of those with credible accusations.