Man Sues St. Cloud Diocese Over Alleged Sex Abuse

ST. PAUL (AP) - A man living in Virginia is suing the St. Cloud Diocese, claiming a former deacon sexually abused him 40 years ago.

The unidentified man alleges he was 6 when he was molested on a camping trip near Alexandria, Minn., in 1970. At the time, the former deacon served at The Church of the Holy Spirit in St. Cloud.

The lawsuit, filed in Hennepin County, names the Diocese of St. Cloud and the former deacon as defendants. The suit alleges the diocese was aware of the former deacon's alleged abusive behavior toward children but did not report it to police. The former deacon hasn't been charged.

A spokeswoman for St. Cloud Diocese says the diocese has not yet reviewed the lawsuit.

Messages left for the former deacon and his attorney were not immediately returned Tuesday.