BishopAccountability.org
	Suit: Priest Slept with Man's Wife By Stewart Warrrn The Herald News September 29, 2008 http://www.suburbanchicagonews.com/heraldnews/news/1191825,JO29_PRIESTSUIT_WEB_092908.article Joliet diocese accused of negligence JOLIET - After his wife left him last year for the priest who acted as their marriage counselor, an Elmhurst man is suing him, the Diocese of Joliet and Bishop J. Peter Sartain. In the complaint filed last week in Will County court, Stephen B. Crane accused the priest of alienation of affection and the diocese of negligence. The diocese allegedly knew the priest was having a sexual relationship with his wife and should have removed him from the church, according to the complaint. Crane is seeking more than $50,000 in damages. Marriage counseling In early 2006, Crane and his former wife, Maureen Crane, were parishioners at Elmhurst Visitation Parish, 779 S. York St., Elmhurst. They began marital counseling with Christopher Floss, who was then a Catholic priest who was serving at the church, according to the complaint. By October, Maureen Crane and Floss were meeting daily at the rectory or the family’s home. In December, a group of parishioners, including the Cranes, planned a trip to Italy. Floss offered to renew the Cranes’ wedding vows during the trip as part of their counseling, according to the complaint. While they were in Rome, Maureen Crane told her husband she wanted a divorce. He later learned that a family member and other church leaders allegedly knew about the relationship between his wife and Floss, according to the complaint. Not long afterward, Floss left the priesthood. The Cranes divorced. “Defendant Floss and the plaintiff’s ex-wife are currently living together in Woodridge, Ill.,” according to the complaint. ‘No comment’ Crane is being represented by Roger Rickmon, a Plainfield lawyer, and Phillip Taxman of Chicago. “I have no comment, except to say the complaint is fairly clear and explanatory,” Taxman said Monday. The diocese also said little about the allegations. “The allegations in this lawsuit are most disturbing and unfortunate to all concerned,” said Doug Delaney, spokesman for the diocese, on Monday. “ Any further public comment at this time on pending litigation would not be appropriate or helpful, considering the difficulties that this family is undergoing.” Contact: swarren@scn1.com
Any original material on these pages is copyright © BishopAccountability.org 2004. Reproduce freely with attribution.