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	Court Denies Appeal in Sex Abuse Case By Jesse Bogan St. Louis Post-Dispatch May 26, 2011 http://www.stltoday.com/news/local/illinois/article_adbd0b7b-b9f4-568c-8483-901140849c97.html The Illinois Supreme Court on Wednesday denied a request to hear an appeal by the Diocese of Belleville involving a $5 million civil jury award in a sexual abuse case against a Roman Catholic priest. The 2002 St. Clair County suit stems from allegations by James Wisniewski, currently in his early 50s, who claimed disgraced former Metro East priest Raymond Kownacki sexually abused him as a child in the 1970s for five years. Wisniewski has said he did not sue earlier because it took years to discover how seriously he'd been harmed. Wisniewski's attorney, Mike Weilmuenster, said Wednesday he was "elated" for his client. "This is kind of a victory for all victims of sexual abuse by a priest," Weilmuenster said. "Perhaps this can give people some closure, some sense of justice." Bishop Edward Braxton, head of the diocese, said in a prepared statement that he acknowledged the court's announcement. "The Diocese continues to express regret for any instances of childhood sexual abuse by a member of its clergy," he said. "The diocese is committed to adhering to its child protection policy, and will continue to assist victims and their families in furtherance of that policy and its ministry." Some bystanders have criticized how Braxton has handled the case. The Southern Illinois Association of Priests, a group of active, retired and resigned priests, which has long asked that Braxton be replaced, said the court announcement "finally ends the unnecessary, costly and painful years of litigation, and finally provides the Wisniewski family some closure to the pain they have suffered." The group believes the diocese could have negotiated a settlement earlier. "Because of the ill-advised decisions of Bishop Edward Braxton, the diocese has endured public shame, and lost a well-deserved reputation by revictimizing sex abuse victims and again scandalizing people of faith throughout Southern Illinois," the association added. "Our local church now faces financial ruin, causing a significant decrease in much needed pastoral ministries." Barbara Dorris, outreach director for SNAP, an organization that supports victims of sex abuse, welcomed the court's decision not to hear the case. "There are dozens of people around the Belleville area who have knowledge or suspicions about child sex crimes — by teachers, coaches, relatives and priests," Dorris said in a prepared statement. "We hope they will be motivated by this ruling to find the courage Jim found to take action." Kownacki was removed from the ministry in 1995 after abuse allegations began to surface. A former housekeeper accused him of raping, beating and performing an abortion on her in the 1970s. That case, which alleged Kownacki was quietly shuffled between parishes, was dismissed after the state Supreme Court ruled that it exceeded the statute of limitations. A third case was filed against him in 2003 by a man identified as John Doe, who as a boy mowed the parish lawn at St. Theresa's Catholic Church and School in Salem, Ill., where Kownacki was pastor from 1979 to 1986. That case settled in 2009 for a reported $1.2 million. A recent address for Kownacki shows him living in Dupo. He could not be reached for comment on Wednesday. Contact: vhahn@post-dispatch.com
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