By George Pawlaczyk
Belleville News-Democrat
May 26, 2011
http://www.bnd.com/2011/05/26/1724619/groups-want-bishop-braxton-to.html
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| Bishop Edward K. Braxton |
Members of nonprofit groups that support victims of sexual abuse by priests on Thursday urged Belleville Diocese Bishop Edward Braxton to give up part of his salary to help pay a court-ordered $6.35 million judgment to a former altar boy.
Four representatives of the Survivors Network of Those Abused by Priests, the Fellowship of Southern Illinois Laity and the St. Louis chapter of Voice of the Faithful demonstrated in the rain outside the diocese's chancery building on Third Street.
The demonstrators reacted the day after the Illinois Supreme Court denied a petition by the diocese to hear an appeal of a lawsuit brought in 2002 by James Wisniewski of Champaign. He won a $5 million award in 2008 that has increased to $6.35 million because of the accumulation of interest. Unless the diocese can bring further legal action, possibly in the U.S. Supreme Court, the amount must be paid.
The lawsuit named the Rev. Raymond Kownacki of Dupo, who was removed from active ministry more than 15 years ago because of allegation of sexual abuse of children. Kownacki has said he will not comment.
Wisniewski's lawyer, Mike Weilmuenster of Belleville, said Thursday that he had not received word from the diocese's lawyer or from Bishop Edward Braxton concerning when his client will get paid. Weilmuenster said the amount is secured by a letter of credit and a guaranty bond.
Braxton could not be reached for comment. Braxton made the decision to appeal the original $5 million jury award.
On Wednesday, Braxton issued a short statement that he was aware of the state high court's decision and that the "Diocese continues to express regret for any instances of childhood sexual abuse by a member of its clergy," and that it remains committed to its "Child Protection Policy."
Wisniewski, who, according to a jury finding, was molested by Kownacki three decades ago when he was a 13-year-old altar boy at St. Theresa's Parish in Salem.
"If justice has been served in this case," said Anne Harter of FOSIL, "it has not been by the Catholic Church."
Luke Rheaume of SNAP, said Braxton should personally apologize to Wisniewski. The organization is headed by David Clohessy of St. Louis, who issued a written statement that Braxton should also reveal where all "pedophile priests" reside in the diocese and visit each parish where Kownacki worked, "And apologize for Kownacki's crime."
In the early 1990s, the News-Democrat published investigative articles that resulted in the removal of 14 priests and a deacon for alleged sexual abuse of children. Of those clergymen, only one, Robert Vonnahmen, was formally removed from the priesthood. A priest can only be removed with the approval of the pope.
Contact reporter George Pawlaczyk at gpawlaczyk@bnd.com or 239-2625.
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