Waukesha Co. Priest Cleared of Molestation Allegations

WTAQ
May 10, 2012

http://wtaq.com/news/articles/2012/may/10/waukesha-co-priest-cleared-of-molestation-allegations/

MILWAUKEE (WTAQ) - A Catholic priest in Waukesha County has been cleared of allegations that he molested a boy in the mid-1990’s at the state’s juvenile institution for boys.

Milwaukee Archbishop Jerome Listecki said the allegation against Father Mark Molling could not be substantiated – so he’s being returned to St. Paul Parish in Genesee Depot this week.

The purported victim is now in a state prison. His claim of being molested was checked out by an independent investigator hired by the archdiocese and a Diocesan Review Board, which cleared Molling.

A church spokeswoman could not immediately say why the allegation was not found to be credible.

Meanwhile, the Review Board has referred sex abuse allegations against a former suburban Milwaukee priest to the Vatican for further action. Father Laurin Wenig is accused of molesting a boy when he was the pastor at St. Nicholas Parish in the 1970’s.

Wenig was placed on leave 15 months ago. Prosecutors review the cases against both Wenig and Molling, but decided not to file criminal charges in either one.