Diocese says citation will allow appellate court to review abuse case

Published: 2004-05-05

BELLEVILLE, Ill. (CNS) -- The Diocese of Belleville requested and received a contempt of court citation and a $2,000 fine in a lawsuit for refusing to release medical and mental health records for a diocesan priest removed from ministry in 1995. Bishop Wilton D. Gregory removed Father Raymond Kownacki after the Diocesan Review Board found credible the allegations that he sexually abused a minor during the 1970s. The diocese, along with Father Kownacki, is being sued by James Wisniewski, who has accused the priest of sexually abusing him when Father Kownacki was the pastor at St. Theresa Parish in Salem. The suit, filed in the 20th Circuit Court in Belleville, asked for records pertaining to Father Kownacki, including his medical and mental health records. The diocese asked for the contempt citation in February so that the case could be reviewed by the Illinois 5th District Appellate Court.

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