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	Groups to Belleville Diocese: Prove Poverty or Pay Sex Abuse Award News-Democrat September 29, 2008 http://www.bnd.com/breaking_news/story/486472.html BELLEVILLE - Members and leaders of three watch dog groups today called on Bishop Edward Braxton to conduct an outside audit of church finances to determine if money exists to pay a $5 million sex abuse judgment. Dave Clohessy, national director of the St. Louis-based Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests, said an outside audit is needed because the diocese may be hiding assets. In August a St. Clair County jury awarded $5 million to former altar boy James Wisniewski, 47, of Champaign. During the trial Wisnewski testified he was sexually abused for years by the Rev. Raymond Kownacki of Dupo, a 73-year old priest removed from ministry in 1995 because of sexual abuse of minors. Kownacki has declined comment. Clohessy and the other group representatives, Lena Woltering of Call To Action and Anne Harter of Fellowship of Southern Illinois Laity, called on Braxton to reverse his decision announced in a letter to parishioners during the weekend to seek a new trial in the Wisniewski case. If the request for a new trial is rejected, then a formal appeal to the 5th Appellate Court in Mount Vernon could be filed.
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