August 05, 2005

Parishioners React To Vosen Verdict

WISCONSIN
WKOW

Fri 08/05/2005 -

At Saint Joseph's Catholic Church parishioners say they have nothing to celebrate.

Their cherished priest, Father Gerald Vosen, once stood at the pulpit there, but now they say their priest is being crucified by false accusations of sexual abuse.

"There are not enough good words to describe him", said parishioner Laura Stanek. "He is a holy man a wonderful man, nothing but goodness", she added.

Laura Stanek's eyes fill with tears as she talked about her friend and priest.

She says this church is not the same without him.

A Rock County jury ruled against Vosen in a defamation lawsuit this week, believing the accuser over the priest.

That accuser, 26 year old peter arnold, says Vosen raped him when he was an altar boy more than 15 years ago. Vosen was a priest in Janesville at that time.

Posted by kshaw at August 5, 2005 09:23 PM