ILLINOIS
Chicago Tribune
By Manya A. Brachear
Tribune staff reporter
Published February 28, 2006, 3:32 PM CST
A Minnesota man who says he was abused more than 30 years ago by a priest in Downers Grove filed suit today, demanding that the Roman Catholic Diocese of Joliet publicly name all clergy accused of abuse since 1950, including the one who allegedly victimized him.
The suit, filed in DuPage County court in Wheaton, seeks an injunction that would force the diocese to release the names of at least 27 credibly accused priests -- dead or alive -- as well as documentation of the allegations made against them.
George Knotek, 52, who now lives in Minneapolis, said he wants to protect children who are in danger of abuse because the church has not released to law enforcement officials the names and files of accused clergy.
Knotek said he also wishes to speak on behalf of those who have been molested by priests in the Joliet Diocese and who he maintained are re-victimized by church leaders when they come forward.