The Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis released the name and assignment history Sept. 16 of deceased priest Father William Hough, who has a substantiated claim against him of sexually abusing a minor while he was a priest of the archdiocese.
The alleged abuse occurred between 1964 and 1966. Father Hough died in 1994. He served at St. Mary in St. Paul, St. Elizabeth in Minneapolis, Our Lady of Perpetual Help in Minneapolis, Resurrection in Minneapolis, St. Mary of the Purification in Marystown, and St. Anthony of Padua in Minneapolis. He was ordained in 1963 and retired in 1991.
In a Sept. 16 statement, Archbishop Bernard Hebda said the archdiocese notified pastors at these parishes, and encouraged anyone who has been abused to contact the police immediately.
“I am profoundly saddened by the effect clergy sexual abuse continues to have on victims/survivors, their families and the community,” he said.
A substantiated claim is one supported by sufficient evidence establishing reasonable grounds to believe that the alleged abuse occurred.
According to the archdiocese, Father Hough’s name and assignment history are being disclosed as part of its commitment under the Ramsey County Settlement Agreement, ongoing relationship with Jeff Anderson and Associates and pledge to “promote healing, awareness and the prevention of abuse.”
More information about clergy disclosures is available at www.safecatholicspm.org.
