Priest: Sex allegations were hushed up

[almaty 19]

BELLEVILLE — Alleged sexual abuse by a priest within the Belleville Diocese was hushed and treated as dirty laundry, a former high-ranking diocesan official testified in court on Thursday.

"Like any family, you don't go hanging your dirty laundry all over the line," the Rev. Joseph Schwaegel, a former vice chancellor in the diocese, testified on Thursday.

A former altar boy is suing the Belleville Diocese, alleging that it covered up sexual abuse involving the Rev. Raymond Kownacki. The altar boy, now 47, says in the suit that Kownacki repeatedly molested him throughout the 1970s.

Defense attorneys for the diocese say the statute of limitations for the altar boy to sue has run out. They argue that many of the diocesan officials involved in the early complaints against Kownacki are dead, and that the diocese ultimately removed the priest from active ministry in 1995.

According to records shown in court, Schwaegel received complaints in 1982 from another family alleging abuse of their son at the hands of Kownacki.

"We have done as you asked, and not said anything to anybody," the family wrote Schwaegel.

Schwaegel acknowledged writing a response to the family, saying he had given Kownacki "the benefit of the doubt" and to let "bygones be bygones."

Nevertheless, Schwaegel testified, he never interviewed Kownacki to investigate the allegations. Instead, he said he followed the chain of command and passed the complaints on to then-Bishop John Wurm.

Schwaegel also said that he never had knowledge of past sexual abuse claims against the priest. Complaints were also made against Kownacki that alleged he raped a 16 year-old girl — who later became pregnant — and attempted to perform an abortion on her.

According to documents shown in court, other diocesan officials knew of growing evidence dating back to the 1960s accusing Kownacki of abusing young boys and girls. Schwaegel said the information was never shared with him.

Schwaegel testified on Thursday that the diocese moved Kownacki from parish to parish — even as sexual misconduct allegations followed Kownacki nearly everywhere he went.

In 1988, after Kownacki was put in a ministry that didn't involve young children or adults, the diocese allowed him to live at St. Henry's parish in Belleville. Next door were St. Henry's Grade School and Althoff Catholic High.

"You put him right in the heart of kids?" asked Stephen R. Wigginton, one of the altar boy's attorneys.

"Yes," Schwaegel testified.

Kownacki was removed from active ministry in 1995 but remained a priest. He currently lives alone in Dupo, receiving retirement benefits from the diocese.

Schwaegel also testified that he had removed himself from active ministry in 1994 for self-professed "sexual addiction."

"To adults," he said.

Testimony is set to resume on Friday. Among those who may be called to testify is former Bishop Wilton Gregory, now archbishop of Atlanta.

[Nagishkaw 510]

:o

[almaty 19]

it is sad and no, this is no shot at the priets..who are fine people and i believe, live their faith ...but Belleville was at the heart of the scandals in the past...

[Yiyi and Chris 0]

Not so shocking! My cousin (my best friend), wanted (wants [#######]) to be a nun, yesterday that we were talking she told me "i have a lot of nun and priests friends, all of them drink, some of them smoke and definetly all of them have had sex... it's not something they do everyday, but they are normal ppl, they do everything we do, the difference is that the world doesn't really know"

awwww I disagree with her so bad, they are supposed to be an example to follow, I am a huge fan of Mother Teresa, everything she did in her life is an example to follow (speciallu for all the kids in India)

[almaty 19]

i worked at a Catholic hospital for 7 1/2 years..and got too be close friend with a Priest and 2 nuns..i counselled one of the nuns to leave the church..a long story..the other....well, she became good friends and would sneak over to my house ..several times a week..my son, cody saad, "oh man, don't touch her..and bring down the plagues and scorn of God on us, we are unlucky enough"..it was wise advice...

[one...two...tree 2,762]

Just terrible. The Diocese is only keeping the deep wounds from healing by not offering some kind of out of court settlement for those victims.

My father is an ordained Deacon, and several years ago, the Diocese that he is in adopted a pretty stringent policy for clergy to prevent future abuse. For example, a clergy member should never allow themselves to be in closed quarters with less than 3 minors. It's kind of crazy...there's a bit of over-reaction and anxiety now about even hugging young children at church for any clergy and I even catch myself wondering whenever I see a priest that is very friendly and affectionate to young children - if he might be a pedophile. A sad state of mind we are all in these days.

Edited August 22, 2008 by Jabberwocky

[*JG* 2]

Not so shocking! My cousin (my best friend), wanted (wants [#######]) to be a nun, yesterday that we were talking she told me "i have a lot of nun and priests friends, all of them drink, some of them smoke and definetly all of them have had sex... it's not something they do everyday, but they are normal ppl, they do everything we do, the difference is that the world doesn't really know"

awwww I disagree with her so bad, they are supposed to be an example to follow, I am a huge fan of Mother Teresa, everything she did in her life is an example to follow (speciallu for all the kids in India)

Drinking and smoking yes. The sex part is not the norm.

[*JG* 2]

It's the sad truth. The politics and business of the Catholic Church are something I have a hard time stomaching most times. I worked in a Catholic Church for 7 years. I saw the good, the bad, and the ugly. The things one priest in particular got away with was sickening. I swear if it had been me doing those things, the Church would've had me in prison long before they finally did what they did to take care of the problem. That being said, he was one of the few I was not proud to be associated with. There are many good priests out there.

I currently work for the Jesuit's. Now, these guys are who I have been looking to work for all my life. Religious; but smart as hell and truly walk to their own beat.

[almaty 19]

It's the sad truth. The politics and business of the Catholic Church are something I have a hard time stomaching most times. I worked in a Catholic Church for 7 years. I saw the good, the bad, and the ugly. The things one priest in particular got away with was sickening. I swear if it had been me doing those things, the Church would've had me in prison long before they finally did what they did to take care of the problem. That being said, he was one of the few I was not proud to be associated with. There are many good priests out there.

I currently work for the Jesuit's. Now, these guys are who I have been looking to work for all my life. Religious; but smart as hell and truly walk to their own beat.

I currently work for the Jesuit's. Now, these guys are who I have been looking to work for all my life. Religious; but smart as hell and truly walk to their own beat.

i agree.. i met some wonderful folks and great caring people at the cathlic hospital

[AnaAndDaniel 0]

heck, some of my friends are Catholic!

Daniel

[almaty 19]

heck, some of my friends are Catholic!

Daniel

lol..same here..i heard, i may be wrong, you married a catholic!!!

[Ban Hammer 13,150]

It's the sad truth. The politics and business of the Catholic Church are something I have a hard time stomaching most times. I worked in a Catholic Church for 7 years. I saw the good, the bad, and the ugly. The things one priest in particular got away with was sickening. I swear if it had been me doing those things, the Church would've had me in prison long before they finally did what they did to take care of the problem. That being said, he was one of the few I was not proud to be associated with. There are many good priests out there.

I currently work for the Jesuit's. Now, these guys are who I have been looking to work for all my life. Religious; but smart as hell and truly walk to their own beat.

I currently work for the Jesuit's. Now, these guys are who I have been looking to work for all my life. Religious; but smart as hell and truly walk to their own beat.

i agree.. i met some wonderful folks and great caring people at the cathlic hospital

jesuit's rawk!

[almaty 19]

i agree..also, i have a few friends, who are Oblates....

[Chica Yeyé 41]

i agree..also, i have a few friends, who are Oblates....

...and I have some who are just Oblivious....

[almaty 19]

lol..me too..we must have the same friends sister len