Fr. Raymond F. Kownacki
Ordained: 1960
- 1961-1962: St. Adalbert’s, East St. Louis, IL (BEL)
- 1963-1964: St. Joseph’s Church, Freeburg, IL (BEL)
- 1965-1970: El Progreso Guatemala C.A. (Foreign Mission) (BEL)
- 1971: St. Francis Xavier’s, St. Francisville, IL (BEL)
- 1972: St. Martin of Tours, Washington Park, IL (BEL)
- 1973: Washington Park (East St. Louis), IL (BEL)
- 1974-1982: St. Theresa’s Church, Salem, IL (BEL)
- 1983: Unknown
- 1984: St. Mary Church, Harrisburg, IL (BEL)
- 1985: Absent on Leave
- 1986-1987: Seven Dolors of the B.V.M. Church, Valmeyer, IL (BEL)
- 1988: Poor Clare Monastery of Our Lady of Mercy, Belleville, IL (BEL)
- 1989-1995: St. Henry, Belleville, IL (BEL)
- 1991-1995: Poor Clare Monastery of Our Lady of Mercy, Belleville, IL (BEL)
- 1996-2007: Leave of Absence (BEL)
- 2007-2013: Retired (BEL)
- 2014-2019: Unknown
Fr. Raymond F. Kownacki has been accused of sexually abusing at least five individuals. In 1986, Fr. Kownacki was sent to Hincke House, a residence for ailing and elderly priests. In 1995, a woman alleged that Fr. Kownacki raped and beat her repeatedly as a teenager in the 1970s. Two former altar boys filed lawsuits in 2002 and 2003 alleging sexual abuse that occurred in the 1970s. Additional lawsuits alleging sexual abuse by Fr. Kownacki have been brought as recenty as 2012. It is believed that Fr. Kownacki was laicized in 2013. In 2018, Fr. Kownacki was included on the Diocese of Belleville’s list of “Clergy who are Currently Removed from Ministry after Credibly Substantiated Allegations of Sexual Abuse of Minors, or Serious Sexual Misconduct with Adults.” Fr. Kownacki was believed to be residing in Dupo, IL as of 2000. Fr. Kownacki’s current whereabouts, status as a priest, and whether he has access to children are unknown.