Exonerated Duluth Priest To Retire July 1

DULUTH, Minn. – A Duluth Catholic priest who was exonerated in May after being accused of sexual abuse eight years ago has decided to retire.

Father William Graham, pastor of St. Michael’s Parish, will retire July 1.

The 75-year-old was ordained as a priest of the diocese in 1976.

It was also in the 1970s when a man said he was sexually abused by Graham.

Graham had steadfastly denied the allegations, and in May, the Vatican said there was not enough evidence, and he was reinstated.

Graham was never charged with a crime and won a civil lawsuit against his accuser who was ordered to pay him $13,000.