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	Groups Ask Diocese to Stop Priest's Mass By Terry Bibo Journal Star October 25, 2008 http://www.pjstar.com/news/x799707303/Groups-ask-Diocese-to-stop-priests-Mass The Rev. Szydlik, accused of sexual assault, will lead worship at church's anniversary PEORIA — Four religious groups have asked Catholic Diocese of Peoria Bishop Daniel Jenky to stop a priest accused of sexual misconduct from saying a special Mass today. The Fellowship of Southern Illinois Laity, Voice of the Faithful and Call to Action joined with the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests to issue a joint statement and letter. They want to keep the Rev. Thomas Szydlik from celebrating Mass with Jenky for the 100th anniversary of Sacred Heart Mission in Dallas City. "For the sake of his accuser, clergy sex abuse victims and Peoria Catholics, we beg you to stop the priest from participating in the mass," says a portion of the letter sent to the bishop. Szydlik was sued in Madison County last spring. Holly Force and her husband, Christopher, are the plaintiffs. They allege Szydlik began pursuing a relationship with Holly Force in 2004, then coerced her to have an abortion when she became pregnant. According to the lawsuit, the priest used information he gained in the confessional to sexually assault her, telling her he was "saving her soul." The Forces left Peoria and moved to Edwardsville in 2006, and say Szydlik followed them. "This will just rub more salt into the wounds of Holly and anyone else who was ever victimized by Peoria priests," said Peoria SNAP leader Jeff Jones. "It hurts when a bishop promises he'll take steps to protect others, and then breaks that promise." "Szydlik betrayed Holly when he failed to act like a priest, when he used her vulnerability, learned when counseling her and hearing her confession to satisfy his own sexual needs. Then to further cover up his mistakes, he coerced her to abort the child," said Barbara Dorris, SNAP National Outreach Director. Last spring, church officials said Szydlik would step down from the ministry until the lawsuit is resolved. Force and the advocacy groups learned he was celebrating today's Mass when they read it on the front page of last week's Catholic Post. The priest was ordained in 2003, and stationed as an assistant pastor at St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church in Peoria in 2004. He had told the bishop he had feelings for a woman in 2005, but no vows had been broken. Szydlik took a leave of absence from the diocese in February 2006, but asked to return to active ministry in September 2006, telling the bishop his relationship with the woman had ended. On Friday, diocesan chancellor and attorney Patricia Gibson issued the following statement: "The case involving Father Thomas Szydlik and Holly Force involved consenting adults and is not a case involving sexual abuse of a child. After further investigation of the allegations contained in the civil lawsuit, the Bishop determined that Father Szydlik could return to ministry. It should be noted that Father Szydlik underwent over five months of therapy and a lengthy period of discernment before returning to ministry. Father Szydlik continues to adamantly and vehemently deny the allegations of assault, battery and coercion to procure an abortion." Attempts to contact Szydlik by calling Sacred Heart Mission were unsuccessful. "The people in our parish are tickled pink with Father Szydlik. We here think he's great," said Sacred Heart's Dolores Markey, who questioned whether any of those protesting belong to the parish. "I think maybe some people should be a little more forgiving." Terry Bibo can be reached at 686-3189 or tbibo@pjstar.com.
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