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  Man Sues Priest in Alleged Abuse

Chicago Tribune
June 17, 2004

A 37-year-old man on Wednesday sued a former Franciscan priest at St. Jude Catholic Church in New Lenox, alleging he was sexually abused during the 1970s when the priest served as an elementary school teacher there.

The plaintiff, listed as John Doe in the suit filed in Will County Circuit Court in Joliet, alleges Rev. Jeffrey Salwach, a Franciscan brother in the 1970s, abused him from about 1974 through 1978.

Joliet attorney Michael Bolos said his client repressed the memory of the abuse until 2002, when he began counseling during divorce proceedings.

Also named in the suit are the Joliet diocese and Bishop Joseph Imesch.

John Cullen, spokesman for the diocese, said he could not comment because he had not seen the lawsuit.

Doctor said Salwach was removed from ministry in May 2003, when the order was notified of an allegation of sexual abuse against him. Doctor said Wednesday he did not know if the plaintiff in this case is the same alleged victim in the allegation made last year.

 
 

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