Yakima Catholic Diocese Responds to the Latest Sex Abuse Allegation

The Diocese of Yakima has received credible allegations of abuse of a minor by a visiting priest from Mexico at the Catholic parish in Moses Lake, in the early 1970's. The Diocese is encouraging any other potential victims to come forward. The alleged abuser, the late Rev. Hilario Ramirez, was invited to Our Lady of Fatima Parish in Moses Lake by a Hispanic family in the early 1970's. During his stay of a few weeks in Moses Lake, Ramirez lived with at least two families, and is alleged to have abused four children, all boys ranging in age from 7-13. Two of the victims are deceased. One of the surviving victims, from Texas, was able to provide the Diocese basic information about the priest and the abuse. The Diocese, through its investigation, recently was able to find the name of another victim, who lives in Washington state. Both men have been offered counseling. Civil authorities in Grant County were informed of Ramirez several months ago. Ramirez died in an automobile accident in Mexico in the 1980's. Anyone wishing to make a report regarding sexual abuse by personnel of the Yakima Diocese is encouraged to call the diocese's confidential abuse hotline, 1-888-276-4490.