Diocese of Belleville IL - BishopAccountability.org

22 Accused in This Diocese

Fr. James R. Calhoun

Ordained: 1955
Status: Sued

Died: 05/26/1996
Diocese: Diocese of Belleville IL

Permanently removed from ministry in 3/1993. Died 5/26/1996. Believed to have abused several youths. One man said he was forced to "lure sex partners" from a local park for Calhoun and another priest 1981-1983. He also claimed Calhoun was part of a homosexual ring of abusive priests. Named as abuser in a 7/1994 civil suit. Another suit said he covered up abuse by Fr. Robert Vonnahmen. On diocese's list 12/19/2018. Included in the 5/23/2023 IL Attorney General's Report, which notes nine "reported survivors."

Fr. Robert Chlopecki

Ordained: 1974
Status: Sued

Diocese: Diocese of Belleville IL

Suspended from active ministry in 3/1993 due to allegations that he sexually abused multiple boys in the early 1980s. Accused of being part of a sex ring involving Fr. James Calhoun and other priests. In original petition, name was spelled "Kolpecki." On 1/24/2009 the diocesan website gave his status as "Administrative Leave." Included on the diocese's list 12/19/2018. Included in the 5/23/2023 IL Attorney General's Report

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Fr. David G. Crook

Ordained: 1981
Status: Accused

Diocese: Diocese of Belleville IL

Placed on leave in 3/1993. Permanently removed from active ministry in 1/1995 over allegations of sexual misconduct with a teenager "some years ago." As of 2002, Crook had left the Illinois area. On 1/24/2009 the diocesan website gave his status as "Administrative Leave/Retired." Included on the diocese's list 12/19/2018. Included in the 5/23/2023 IL Attorney General's Report, which notes two "reported survivors."

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Fr. Daniel L. Friedman

Ordained: 1972
Status: Sued

Diocese: Diocese of Belleville IL

Accused of sexual advances towards boy at a summer camp in 1986. The Vicar General recommended Friedman's removal in 1988 but no action was taken until further investigation in 1994. He was later reinstated to a parish but not to camp duties. A woman sued him in 2/2002 alleging that he had fondled her during counseling sessions; the suit was dropped in 6/2002. Friedman was removed in 9/2002 pending review of the 1986 allegations. Again allowed to return to active ministry in 4/2003, after a review by the diocese's Fitness Review Board.

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Fr. Gerald R. Hechenberger

Ordained: 1996
Status: Convicted

Died: 03/6/2020
Diocese: Diocese of Belleville IL

"Jerry." Arrested 1/08/2018, charged with possession and dissemination of child pornography, and possession of methamphetamine. Associate pastor of Holy Childhood parish and school in Mascoutah, St. Pancratius in Fayetteville and St. Liborius in St. Libory. Had taken leave in 2011 for "very serious personal, pastoral and legal challenges." In 2004 pled guilty to trespassing at a truck stop "holding his pants in his hand and [with] no shirt on." Charged in 1983 and 1989 with DUIs. It was announced 1/2019 that he would undergo a psych evaluation to determine if he was mentally competent to stand trial. Pleaded guilty in 11/2019. Sentenced to nine years in prison. On diocese's list 12/19/2018. Died in jail 3/6/2020. Included in the 5/23/2023 IL Attorney General's Report.

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Fr. Edwin G. Kastner

Ordained: 1951
Status: Accused

Died: 05/1/2012
Diocese: Diocese of Belleville IL

Removed in 9/1993 pending the investigation of an allegation that he had been involved in sexual misconduct with a male youth about 20 years prior. Permanently removed from active priesthood in 6/1994. Per the diocesan website 1/24/2009, his status was "Administrative Leave/Retired." Died 5/1/2012. Include on the diocese's list of credibly accused 12/19/2018. Included in the 5/23/2023 IL Attorney General's Report.

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Fr. Raymond F. Kownacki

Ordained: 1960
Status: Settled

Died: 08/19/2022
Diocese: Diocese of Belleville IL

Accused in a lawsuit filed in 3/1995 of abuse and rape of a teenage girl over several years, beginning in 1970. The girl was hired in 1971 as Kownacki's housekeeper and moved into his rectory. Per the suit, when she told Kownacki in 1973 that she had sex with a boy she was dating, he held a knife to her throat, forced her at gunpoint to drive him around, then raped her. She later found she was pregnant; Kownacki made her drink something to induce abortion, then squeezed her uterus with his hand. She passed out and woke up in a pool of blood, and lost the fetus. The woman said that she and her parents reported the abuse in 1973 to Bishop Albert Zuroweste. Kownacki was kept in ministry; permanently removed in 11/1995. The suit was dismissed due to the statute of limitations. Two men filed suits in 2002 and 2003 claiming abuse in the 1970s. Jury award of $5M to 2002 plaintiff in 8/2008 trial. Decision appealed. Diocese paid $6.33M (with interest) in 8/2011. The 2003 suit settled in 10/2009 for $1.2M. Two men sued in 4/2009. Two suits settled in 3/2012. New suits in 10/2011 and 8/2012. Laicized 1/11/2013. On diocese's list 12/19/2018. Per the list updated in 9/2022, Kownacki died 8/19/2022. Included in the 5/23/2023 IL Attorney General's Report, which notes nine "reported survivors."

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Fr. Albert E. Kreher

Ordained: 1965
Status: Accused

Diocese: Diocese of Belleville IL

Diocese said it learned in 1997 of allegations that Kreher sexually abused a boy for one and a half years in the early 1980s, starting when the boy was age 14. Kreher admitted to regularly sleeping with the boy, but denied abuse. The boy, Steven Poole, said he told another priest in the early 1990s. Poole went on to become a priest of the diocese. Poole said Kreher slept naked, kissed, fondled, and rubbed his genitals against him. In 2010 Bishop Braxton made Kreher write Poole a letter of apology, but allowed Kreher to continue as head of Boy Scouts Council. The letter was leaked to media. The Boy Scouts removed Kreher in 2016. Police launched an investigation.

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Fr. Eugene G. Linnemann

Ordained: 1980
Status: Accused

Died: 03/1/2011
Diocese: Diocese of Belleville IL

Linnemann had just taken a health leave for "stress and depression" when he was removed in 5/1993 from duties as pastor of St. Patrick Church in Ruma. Permanently removed from active ministry in 1/1995. Per diocesan records, he sexually abused a minor more than ten years previously. On 1/24/2009 the diocesan website gave his status as "Administrative Leave." Died 3/1/2011. Included on the diocese's list 12/19/2018. Included in the 5/23/2023 IL Attorney General's Report.

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Fr. Walter E. MacPherson

Ordained: 1955
Status: Accused

Died: 07/16/2011
Diocese: Diocese of Belleville IL

Removed in 2/1994 from position as pastor of St. Martin of Tours in Washington Park after allegations of sexual misconduct with a boy in his early teens "more than 20 years ago." In 1/1995 the Diocesan review board permanently removed him from active ministry and he retired. On 1/24/2009 the diocesan website gave his status as "Administrative Leave/Retired." Died 7/16/2011. On diocese's list 12/19/2018. Included in the 5/23/2023 IL Attorney General's Report, which notes four "reported survivors."

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Fr. Thomas W. Miller

Donate Photo

Ordained: 1977
Status: Accused

Died: 01/6/2004
Diocese: Diocese of Belleville IL

Named publicly as accused by the diocese when added to its list of accused 6/17/2020. Monsignor. Parish priest in Olney, O'Fallon and Anna. At time of death was also chaplain of Anna State Hospital, Shawnee Correctional Center, Vienna Correctional Center and Dixon Springs Work Camp. Died 1/6/2004. Included in the 5/23/2023 IL Attorney General's Report.

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Fr. Arthur W. Niemeyer

Ordained: 1949
Status: Accused

Died: 04/26/1988
Diocese: Diocese of Belleville IL

First named publicly as accused by the diocese when added to its list 6/17/2020 of accused clergy. Parish priest in Belleville, Shiloh, Kinmundy, Salem and Cahokia. Director of St. John's Orphanage in Shiloh in the 1950s and 1960s. Chaplain of St. Joseph Hospital in Breese 1976-1988. Died 4/26/1988. A former priest came forward shortly after Niemeyer was named in 2020 to say that in 1966, when he was a seminarian and volunteering at the orphanage, he and the orphanage's mother superior reported to Bishop Zuroweste suspicions that Niemeyer was sexually abusing grade-school boys. Niemeyer was transferred, and kept in ministry. The former priest said he knows that one of the boys died by suicide. Included in the 5/23/2023 IL Attorney General's Report. It details abuse by Niemeyer in the late 1970s of a boy he had met while a hospital chaplain. The boy was a patient's brother. Niemeyer groomed the boy for a year, giving him special treats and taking him on camping trips. He sexually abused the boy under the guise of playing a game that would make him strong for upcoming high school basketball tryouts. After the abuse, Niemeyer let the boy drive his car then threatened him, saying that if he told, no one would believe him, he would go to hell, and that he (Niemeyer) would tell on Luke for driving his car without a license. At least two other men have come forward, one in 1987 and the other in 1993, to report abuse as children by Niemeyer while hospitalized.

Assignments:

IL Attorney General’s Report Assignment Record

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Fr. Anthony Onyango

Ordained: 2011
Status: Accused

Diocese: Diocese of Belleville IL

From Kenya. Pastor of St. Bernard in Albers and St. Damian in Damiansville when suspended in 10/2020 after an allegation of "inappropriate conduct" with a minor. Included in 9/2022 on the diocese's list of credibly accused. Laicized 4/13/2022. Added the 5/23/2023 IL Attorney General's Report.

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Fr. Louis P. Peterson

Ordained: 1974
Status: Accused

Diocese: Diocese of Belleville IL

Accused of molesting a teenage boy sometime 1992-1994. Stepped down voluntarily in 1/1994 during investigation. Permanently removed in 11/1995 from active ministry by the Fitness Review Board. Not enough evidence for police to prosecute. By 7/2002 he had requested a "third stage review" by Bishop Gregory, who found no reason to return him to active ministry. Peterson appealed to the Vatican. On 1/24/2009 the diocesan website gave his status as "Administrative Leave/Retired." Included on the diocese's list of credibly accused 12/19/2018. Included in the 5/23/2023 IL Attorney General's Report, which notes two "reported survivors."

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Fr. Jerome B. Ratermann

Ordained: 1957
Status: Settled

Diocese: Diocese of Belleville IL

The Diocese knew of Ratermann's sexual abuse of boys in 1968 while he was principal of Mater Dei High School in Breese. Placed on leave and, per the IL Attorney General's Report in 5/2023, "the case was resolved by the bishop, parents and the State's Attorney." Assigned to parish ministry. Per the A.G., the Diocese claimed it first received a report of abuse by Ratermann in 1986. Ratermann admitted that the abuse "could have happened." Kept in ministry, moved to another parish. Suspended in 3/1993 after another allegation. Permanently barred from ministry. Denied all allegations. Appealed his case to Rome in 2002 when the bishop refused to reinstate him. On 1/24/2009 the diocesan website gave his status as "Administrative Leave/ Retired." Suit filed in 4/2009, settled in 3/2012. Name included on the Diocese's list of credibly accused 12/19/2018. One man told the A.G. he was abused as a Ss. Peter and Paul altar boy, at the parish and on house boat trips. Ratermann was assigned to the parish 1971-1985. There are at least seven accusers.

Assignments:

IL Attorney General’s Report Assignment Record

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Fr. William F. Rensing

Ordained: 1955
Status: Accused

Died: 03/13/2017
Diocese: Diocese of Belleville IL

Removed in 10/2002 on recommendation of Review Board after an allegation that he abused a minor three decades prior. Allegation received in 7/2002 but delayed because the man told the Diocese that he himself was under investigation for child abuse (he was later convicted). Matter referred to Rome and then returned to Diocese in 2003. On 1/24/2009 the diocesan website gave his status as "Administrative Leave/Retired." Died 3/13/2017. On diocese's list 12/19/2018. Included in the 5/23/2023 IL Attorney General's Report, which notes two "reported survivors."

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Fr. E. Alan Ruppert

Ordained: 1978
Status: Accused

Diocese: Diocese of Belleville IL

Removed in 10/1998 from duties as pastor of St. Clement in McLeansboro and St. John Nepomucene in Dahlgren due to an allegation he engaged in sexual misconduct with a minor in 1990. On 1/24/2009 the diocesan website gave his status as "Administrative Leave/Retired." Included on the diocese's list of credibly accused 12/19/2018. Included in the 5/23/2023 IL Attorney General's Report, which notes two "reported survivors."

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Fr. Roger Schoenhofen

Order: OMI
Ordained: 1966
Status: Sued

Died: 02/25/2009
Diocese: Diocese of Belleville IL

Accused in a 1995 civil suit of sexually abusing a student at St. Henry's Preparatory Seminary. Per the lawsuit, Schoenhofen was among three Belleville priests, a deacon and two O.M.I. priests who abused the plaintiff. The lawsuit claimed a ring of homosexual priests lured young men and wined and dined them in exchange for sex. Schoenhofen was assigned to the Preparatory Seminary 1967-84. He was still an active priest in Alton, IL in 2008. He died 2/25/09.

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Fr. Joseph R. Schwaegel

Ordained: 1965
Status: Settled

Died: 07/13/2016
Diocese: Diocese of Belleville IL

Former Vicar General. Monsignor. The "singing priest." Civil suit filed 8/1999 alleging abuse of an 8-year-old boy in 1973. Refiled as federal case 2001. Some charges dismissed on SOL in 2003. Case settled 2/2003. Admitted to being "a sex addict." At least two arrests for solicitation. Left ministry 1994 due to his sex addition, not his alleged abuse of minors. Other alleged victims have come forward. Testified in Kownacki trial 8/2008. Diocesan website gave his status 1/24/2009 as "Administrative Leave/Retired." Died 7/13/2016. On diocese's list 12/19/2018. Suit 7/19/2019 claims abuse 1987-1989 of a boy, beginning when the boy was a 6-year-old kindergartener at Cathedral Grade School. Included in the 5/23/2023 IL Attorney General's Report.

Fr. Gary Sebescak

Ordained: 1994
Status: Accused

Diocese: Diocese of Belleville IL

Removed from assignment as associate pastor of St. Mary's in Mount Vernon by Bishop Gregory 4/1995 after an allegation that Sebescak had sexually abused a minor six years prior while at St. Meinrad Catholic Seminary. Bishop Gregory deemed the allegations credible. No criminal charges filed. On diocese's list 12/19/2018. Included in the 5/23/2023 IL Attorney General's Report.

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Deacon Francis Theis

Ordained: 1980
Status: Sued

Died: 07/13/2010
Diocese: Diocese of Belleville IL

Deacon. Removed in 1993. In 1/1995 the Diocesan Review Board deemed Theis unfit to continue in the employment of the diocese. In a 1995 civil suit, Theis and four priests were named as abusers of a youth 1981-1983. Name is spelled "Theiss" in original petition. The suit also alleged that Theis was part of a sex ring of priests. Died 7/13/2010. On diocese's list 12/19/2018. Included in the 5/23/203 IL Attorney General's Report, which notes three "reported survivors."

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Fr. Robert J. Vonnahmen

Ordained: 1956
Status: Settled

Died: 05/8/2016
Diocese: Diocese of Belleville IL

Founder and long-time director of Camp Ondessonk. Accused of abusing boys and girls, spanning most of his career. Per the 5/23/2023 IL Attorney General's Report, Vonnahmen sexually abused as many as 23 children 1956-1973. Abuse involved "fondling and kissing to violent oral and anal sex." In 1968 or 1969 fellow priests reported child sex abuse by Vonnahmen at Camp Ondessonk to the bishop, to no avail. Further reports in 1976 or 1977, no action. Investigated by the Diocese in 1985 - removed from the camp, kept in parish ministry. Removed from active ministry without privileges in 1993. Named in civil suits in 1993, 1994 and 1995. Laicization announced in 4/2007. In 10/2013 was in charge of San Damiano Shrine in southern IL and was running ads for the Shrine in the archdiocesan newspaper. Accused in new lawsuit 3/17/2014 of abuse of a child at camp in 1970 and 1971. Died 5/8/2016, at a Highland IL nursing home. On diocese's list 12/19/2018. Subject of settlement(s), per Attorney Garabedian in 4/2022.

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Documents:

Maryland Casualty Company v. Rev. Robert J. Vonnahmen 12.09.96

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