MADISON (WI)
WISC-TV
May 22, 2018
By Jenna Middaugh
People who attend St. John Vianney in Janesville were shocked to hear accusations against a former priest.
Janesville – People who attend St. John Vianney in Janesville were shocked to hear accusations against a former priest.
William Nolan is facing six charges of second-degree sexual assault of a child in Jefferson County after accusations that he assaulted a Fort Atkinson altar boy more than 100 times.
On Monday, the Diocese of Madison released a statement saying the church is investigatingan additional allegation against Nolan that’s reported to have happened in Janesville in 2009.
Nolan served at St. John Vianney in Janesville from 1989 to 1994.
Matthew McDonald said his family has attended the parish for more than 40 years. His siblings went to the Catholic school while Nolan was the priest, McDonald said.
“I really liked him,” McDonald said. “He has always been kind and worked really hard to promote the gospel message of Jesus, love and mercy toward others — toward everyone.”
According to the diocese, a third party raised concerns about Nolan in 2009. When an official with the diocese contacted the alleged victim, the man said he did not accuse Nolan of any sexual misconduct. The man reached out to the diocese again five years later but still did not accuse the priest.
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