Belleville, Ill., diocese pays $1.2 million in priest abuse case involving former altar boy

Belleville, Ill., diocese pays $1.2M in abuse case

BELLEVILLE, Ill. — A Roman Catholic diocese in Illinois has agreed to pay $1.2 million to settle a 6-year-old lawsuit by a former altar boy who claimed he was molested by his parish priest.

The settlement announced Thursday by the Diocese of Belleville and confirmed by the plaintiff’s attorney followed negotiations worked out last week.

Court papers only list the plaintiff as “John Doe.” His lawsuit stems from alleged abuse by the Rev. Raymond Kownacki of Dupo at St. Theresa’s Parish in Salem.

Kownacki has refused to comment publicly. He has an unlisted telephone number.

Last year, a St. Clair County jury awarded $5 million to another former altar boy who alleged that he was sexually abused by Kownacki at the Salem church. The diocese is appealing that verdict.

Information from: Belleville News-Democrat, www.bnd.com