WINONA, Minn, – A popular St. Charles priest who quietly disappeared from the pulpit in 2019 has been charged with sexual assault. The charge was filed in Winona County District Court against Ubaldo Roque Huerta, 50. The criminal complaint alleges a December 2020 incident with an adult while visiting the person’s home. Huerta was already suspended from pastoral duties at the time. After the arrest, the Winona-Rochester Diocese issued a statement that Huerta had been ordained in 2008. His assignments included the St. Borromeo Church nn St. Charles and satellite parishes in Eyota and Elba. Parishioners called him Padre Ubaldo. He was born in. Mexico City and offered Mass in Spanish. At other times he was in parishes in Owatonna, Rochester and Winona.
Video: 2019 Spanish service
Video: 2019 Spanish service
Diocesan statement
In its unsigned statement, approved by Bishop Robert Barron, the Diocese said that Huelga had been suspended in 2019 was that the Diocese was working to end his status as a priest when the alleged 2020 criminal sexual conduct. Th statement said the Diocese was cooperating with law enforcement agencies on the case.