BishopAccountability.org
	No Excuse for Inaction News-Democrat August 22, 2008 http://www.bnd.com/editorial/story/443706.html Fifteen years ago, Southern Illinois residents reacted in stunned disbelief when the Belleville Diocese started removing priests accused of sexual misconduct. The civil trial this week brought by James Wisniewski, who said he was abused by the Rev. Raymond Kownacki in the early 1970s, has brought back that punch-in-the-gut feeling. The general allegations were bad enough. But to listen to diocesan leaders testify they knew Kownacki was accused of abusing young boys and simply moved the priest to unsuspecting parishes is in some ways worse. Wisniewski's attorney on Thursday produced records during testimony that showed similar patterns with three other priests. Church leaders had an obligation to call the police about Kownacki. At a minimum they should have kept him away from children. They did neither.
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