BishopAccountability.org
	Priest Denies Allegations By Eric Shangraw Week April 4, 2008 http://www.week.com/news/local/17296364.html The Roman Catholic Diocese of Peoria says one of its priests is denying allegations in a lawsuit that he forced a woman to have an abortion, after having sex with her. Holly Force, and her husband, Christopher, are listed as plaintiffs in the lawsuit filed this week in Madison County. The lawsuit names the Reverend Thomas Szydlik, who church officials say has stepped down from the ministry until the lawsuit is resolved. In the lawsuit, Holly Force claims Szydlik began pursuing a relationship with her in 2004 while she attended Saint Vincent Depaul in Peoria. The complaint states the Forces later left Peoria for Edwardsville to distance themselves from Szydlik. According to The Alton Telegraph, Force alleges she had an abortion in July 2006 due to coercion by Szydlik, after having non-consensual sex with him. Church officials say Szydlik had in the past mentioned he had feelings for a woman, but that no vows had been broken. Bishop Daniel Janky is also named in the lawsuit as allegedly failing to prevent the priest's behavior. The Diocese released a statement. It says: "The Diocese of Peoria was recently made aware of a case filed by Holly and Chris Force on March 31, 2008, in the Circuit Court of Third Judicial Circuit, Edwardsville, Madison County, Illinois, containing certain allegations regarding Reverend Thomas R. Szydlik and the Diocese of Peoria. This case includes allegations surrounding an innappropriate relationship with Holly Force and Szydlik. It should be noted that Force and Szydlik were adults and this not a case involving sexual abuse of a child. Bishop Jenky is very saddened by any allegations involving a priest or a married person breaking their vows. In March, 2005, Szydlik came to the Bishop and informed him that he was having feelings for a particular woman. The Bishop asked him if any action needed to be taken immediately regarding his assignment. Szydlik stated now vows had been broken and that he would prefer a new assignment in June which is the normal time that priests are reassigned. Szydlik was reassigned to a different parish in June 2006. In February 2006, the Bishop was informed that Szydlik was requesting a leave of absence of which the bishop granted. Szydlik then cut off all further contact with the Diocese. In September 2006, Szydlik came to see Bishop Jenky and informed him that his relationship with the woman had ended. Szydlik asked Bishop Jenky if there was any chance that he might return to active ministry. The Bishop then sent him to undergo and extensive therapy program outside the state of Illinois. After five months of therapy, Szydlik was allowed to return to minstry under pastoral spervision. Recently, the Diocese learned of allegations against Szydlik of assault, battery, pregnancy and coercion to procure an abortion which Szydlik vehemently denies. At the time of this lawsuit being filed, Szydlik has, however, voluntarily agreed to step down from any active ministry pending the resolution of these matters. The Diocese did act decisively on every occasion as further information was brought forward. The Diocese could not act on matters or information that they were not aware of. Once again, the Bishop is greatly saddened by any possible violation of vows on the part of any priest or married person."
Any original material on these pages is copyright © BishopAccountability.org 2004. Reproduce freely with attribution.