Menasha priest found not guilty of sexual abuse of a child in church trial

Raquel Rutledge
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
A Milwaukee firefighter has been arrested for allegedly sexually assaulting a co-worker, the Milwaukee Fire Department said Saturday.

A Menasha priest accused in 2010 of sexually abusing a minor has been found not guilty through canonical judicial proceedings. 

Father Paul Radetski had been placed on administrative leave from his duties at St. John’s, St. Mary’s and St. Patrick parishes in Menasha after civil authorities were alerted to what were said by the Catholic Diocese of Green Bay at the time to be credible allegations.

“Father has been granted senior priest status, and his restrictions from exercising public priestly ministry have been lifted,” a Saturday press release from the diocese states. “He will serve the diocese in a limited capacity in his senior priest status.”

Under canonical proceedings, the ruling was made by three canon lawyers and judges from outside the diocese following a trial.

Bishop David L. Ricken received notification from the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, the release states.