Posted on 04/04/2008 8:41:45 AM PDT by Between the Lines
An Edwardsville woman filed a civil suit against a Catholic priest she claims impregnated her then coerced her into an abortion.
Holly Force is joined in the suit by her husband, Chris Force, against the Rev. Thomas Szydlik and Bishop Daniel Jenky of the Catholic Diocese of Peoria.
According to the complaint filed March 31 in Madison County Circuit Court, the Forces attended Saint Vincent de Paul Catholic Church in the Peoria Diocese from September 2000 until June 2006.
Szydlik was the assistant pastor of the church from June 2004 through June 2005, the complaint states.
According to the complaint, Szydlik heard Holly Force's confession on Nov. 21, 2004. She spoke of marital difficulties, including conflicts about birth control.
In a previous confession, Szydlik learned that the sexual aspects of her marriage were troubled and that she also suffered from a severe medical condition which exacerbated those problems, the complaint states.
Holly Force claims that Szydlik developed a scheme to make every effort to get her further involved in church activities and during those instances would "continuously bring up Holly's personal situation and seek deeper engagement with her" and encouraged her to confide in and trust him.
"Szydlik used information received in confession to prey upon Holly and Chris thereby violating one of his most sacred responsibilities," the complaint states.
Holly Force claims that Szydlik used e-mail, telephone and face-to-face confrontations to "groom and intimidate" her into submission and never missed a chance to lead her into believing whatever she and Szydlik did or said was "excused" because he was saving her soul.
The complaint states that in January 2005, she informed her husband of the relationship with Szydlik. Chris Force confronted Szydlik, who then apologized to Chris.
According to the complaint, Szydlik informed the bishop of his inappropriate behavior with a parishioner and was reassigned to another church.
According to Holly Force, before his transfer on June 2, Szydlik kissed her on April 15, 2005, and suggested that she buy the "Christian Prayer" so that they could pray together.
"Holly and Szydlik began to pray together on a near daily basis," the complaint states.
The complaint states that during May 2005, Szydlik appeared at her home to "kiss her like he really wanted to kiss her."
"During these encounters, as Szydlik later told Holly, Szydlik would ejaculate," the complaint states.
She claims that after Szydlik left St. Vincent, there was no additional physical contact until September 2005. She also claims at various times Szydlik informed her that he would leave the priesthood and marry her following her divorce from Chris.
The Forces claim they moved to Edwardsville in part to distance themselves from Szydlik. However in 2006, Szydlik moved to Edwardsville where he lived for three-to-four months and continued to engage in inappropriate behavior.
Holly Force claims Szydlik would tell her that he was in the process of purchasing a home for them to live in.
"On April 2, 2006, Szydlik engaged in intercourse with Holly which was nonconsensual on her part," the complaint states. "As a result of the intercourse, Holly became pregnant."
Holly claims in May 2006, she informed Szydlik that she was pregnant and he allegedly told her that he wanted to marry her as soon as he left the priesthood.
"In July 2006, Szydlik decided not to leave the priesthood and told Holly 'if there is not a baby, there is not a problem,'" the complaint states.
Holly claims she terminated the pregnancy by abortion "due to coercion by Szydlik" in July 2006.
She claims their relationship ended after the abortion.
Holly claims Szydlik, as priest and spiritual director, manipulated her feelings and actions by "misusing God's intent" in the relationship knowing of her illness, vulnerability and deep spiritual faith.
Holly claims Szydlik would tell her "God has brought us together for some reason" and that their relationship was something "God wanted."
"Szydlik used 'God's will' against Holly, abusing her faith and trust, when she trusted Szydlik as a priest who, therefore, was correct in interpreting God's real intent," the complaint states.
The Forces allege that neither Bishop Jenky nor the diocese took adequate action to ensure that Szydlik was no longer having the inappropriate relationship.
They claim that Bishop Jenky violated his duty by negligently failing to intervene, investigate, monitor or supervise Szydlik's conduct.
Holly Force claims that as a result of the incident she sustained severe emotional injuries and distress, has and will continue to spend large sums of money on therapy and has and will continue to suffer the loss of a normal life.
Chris Force also claims he has sustained emotional injuries and distress, requires therapy and also has been deprived of Holly's consortium.
Represented by David Leefers of Jacksonville, Holly and Chris are seeking damages in excess of $2.5 million, plus costs.
Hmmmmm...
If he's guilty ... words fail. What he's accused of is appalling.
For those who don't know, this is a reference to the "Liturgy of the Hours", a structured program of Scripture reading, prayer, and reading from the ancient Fathers. It is required of clergy and strongly recommended to laity, for deepening of our relationship with Our Lord.
To abuse it as a vehicle for seducing someone into adultery is sacrilegious at the very least, if not blasphemous.
Again, words fail.
Give me a break....did he rape her or did she fall on his penis 30 times and get pregnant. I would like to hear the whole “real” story.
The bishop needs to wake up, and remove this individual from active ministry. If the allegations are true, he needs to be removed from the priesthood permanently.
I think that it is worth noting that the husband knew of this since January 2005, before even the first kiss. I find his lack of diligence in preventing any further advances equally appalling. Everyone she turned to failed her miserably.
Speaking as one who did not know, thanks for the info.
This is a report from a local newspaper which has readers affected by this story. I thought they did a good job reporting this without affronting the sensibilities of their readers.
If you want to read the horrid details, you will have to wait for the tabloids to pick up the story.
It sounds like a couple of people decided to cash in on the church’s sex scandal to me.
Just ... eeek!
"Husbands, love your wives and Christ loved the Church ..."
What do want us to say? That he isn’t bad?
He’s terrible and violated his vows, everyone’s trust, the sanctity of life, caused enormous pain and suffering, and is a thoroughly human being.
Terrible.
“I think that it is worth noting that the husband knew of this since January 2005, before even the first kiss. I find his lack of diligence in preventing any further advances equally appalling. Everyone she turned to failed her miserably.”
I’m not dismissing this priest who should be bounced out and held accountable financially.
“she also suffered from a severe medical condition which exacerbated those problems, the complaint states. “
That raises a red flag for me. Too many times, in conjunction wtih the marital difficulties, this means a psychiatric problem.
Is there a psychologist or Psychiatrist involved somewhere or even a therapist?
This priest is a terrible, vow-breaking man in any case. I am surprised this happened in the Diocese of Peoria.
Well this “priest”-joker is obviously the scum of the earth. It also sounds like the one innocent victim in all this was murdered by his parents. What the creep did sounds down right Satanic.....makes you wonder.
Yes, the priest is guilty of adultery and of his part in the murder of a baby. But she is just as guilty.
Playing the victim card. Kaching!
I know too many incidents where women chased doctors to believe this nonsense. I’d like to hear her husband and the priest’s version of the story...
I know what you mean. Isn’t Peoria the home diocese of Fulton Sheen?
When I read this story....there are no words to express how I feel.
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