JEFFERSON — A retired priest is accused of repeatedly sexually assaulting an altar boy when he served at a Fort Atkinson church beginning in 2006.
Bill Nolan, 64, is charged with six counts of second-degree sexual assault of a child. A $50,000 signature bond was set Thursday in Jefferson County Court.
Nolan’s accuser, now 25, recently contacted authorities and told them he was assaulted by the priest at least 100 times from 2006 to 2010 when Nolan served at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church. He said the sexual encounters would take place at various places, including Nolan’s office.
The Diocese of Madison said in a statement it didn’t know about the allegations before police arrested Nolan.
Nolan previously served churches in Janesville, Cambridge, Madison and Watertown, the diocese said in the statement. The diocese said it “had received no allegations of misconduct connected to any of his assignments.”
The diocese did not give details of the allegations in its statement. It said it had started its own investigation and had engaged its own sexual abuse review board. The diocese said it has assured police “full cooperation.”
Tribune News Service contributed to this report.
introsounds on May 19th, 2018 at 20:23 UTC »
I knew this priest... He actually officiated my parents’ marriage and just 3 weeks ago presided over my grandparent’s burial, and then ate with us at our aunt’s house afterwards. We were all extremely shocked to hear this news. He wasn’t outwardly creepy or anything; he just seemed like a normal priest. Guess you never really know a person...
Vanimal237 on May 19th, 2018 at 16:53 UTC »
As a kid whose brother is to become a priest in a couple years I always get the joke of “did he rape you yet?” Whenever I tell someone.
Siltonage on May 19th, 2018 at 16:41 UTC »
Am I the only one confused by that thumbnail? Like what the fuck does it have to do with the topic?