MINNESOTA
Noaka Law Firm
Posted on January 5, 2016 by patricknoaker
Bishop More Interested in Bank Loan Than Protecting Children from Child Predator
St. Marys Photo(Winona, Minnesota – January 05, 2016.) Today, the Hamilton James law group filed a civil lawsuit on behalf of a former Winona man against the Diocese of Winona relating to sexual abuse by Fr. Richard Hatch in 1962 when the boy was 13 – 14 years of age and a parishioner and student at St. Mary’s Catholic Church and School. Documents released by Hamilton James reveal that the Winona Bishop was more concerned about Fr. Hatch’s loan with the First National Bank of Pipestone than Hatch taking children with him to Florida.
In the civil Complaint, a man described as John Doe 121 brings claims of negligence against the Diocese of Winona for exposing him to alleged sexual predator Fr. Richard Hatch and for failing to properly supervise Fr. Hatch, thereby endangering children. According to the Complaint, Fr. Hatch sexually abused Doe on and around the premises of St. Mary’s Church and School in approximately 1962, when John Doe 121 was approximately 13 or 14 years old.
According to the Complaint, in a letter of July 13, 1961, the Bishop warned Hatch to be more careful with money, and then threw in a line about the protection of children. In the letter, the Bishop stated “I have spoken to you several times in regard to your apparent disregard and lack of concern for debts which you have and which you incur,” “Such actions jeopardize the good name and reputation of the Church and particularly of individual priests.”
The Complaint also states that the Diocese of Winona had information that Fr. Hatch was a threat to children. The Complaint also specifically cites another document showing the Diocese knew Fr. Hatch was a sexual threat to parish boys prior to transferring Hatch to St. Mary’s. In a May 28, 1964 letter from Msgr. Emmett F. Tighs, Chancellor of the Diocese of Winona, stated that “Fr. Hatch was a problem here in our Diocese during the years of his service.” In that same letter, Msgr. Tighs also confirmed that Fr. Hatch “was accused of many indiscretions and much imprudence” and Msgr. Tighs also described Fr. Hatch as “a very disturbed man.”
Professor and Attorney Marci Hamilton put this case in the national context: “Once again, a diocese failed to prioritize the protection of children, and instead focused on bureaucratic details while children suffered. While it is no longer surprising, it is no less of a shock to the conscience.”
“This case is very upsetting,” said Minneapolis attorney Patrick Noaker, a veteran child sex abuse lawyer, “because the Diocese could have easily avoided the sexual abuse of this boy entirely. “Patrick is one of the attorneys representing John Doe 121. “The Bishop knew that Fr. Hatch had been sexually inappropriate with parish boys in St. James and instead of removing him, the Bishop transferred him to St. Mary’s in Winona exposing unsuspecting parents and children to a dangerous sexual predator.”
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