Ezekiel 34:8-9 “As surely as I live, declares the Sovereign Lord, because My flock lacks a shepherd and so has been plundered and has become food for all the wild animals, and because My shepherds did not search for My flock but cared for themselves rather than for My flock, therefore, O shepherds, hear the word of the Lord: This is what the Sovereign Lord says: I am against the shepherds and will hold them accountable. I will remove them from tending the flock so that the shepherds can no longer feed themselves. I will rescue My flock from their mouths, and it will no longer be food for them.”

Another raving wolves scandal in the modern day church. We shouldn’t be surprised, but outraged, especially when we have been witnessing and reporting outside this notorious abortion mill in Granite City the shepherds, or better known as “wolves”, accompanying or forcing the women in their churches to get rid of any evidence of their sin. It is the Uriah syndrome of our day, the sin of fornication and adultery. We are looking squarely everyday in the faces of the unfortunate products of this sin.

Just the other day, Friday, we stood in the alley and witnessed a SUV with “MINISTER 1” on it’s personalized plates pull onto the parking lot with a young girl. We inquired what church he was with. He responded, “Word of Life in Springfield , Illinois .” We then gave him heaven as he stood in line. “How can a man of God take a pregnant woman into an abortion mill? What Bible are you reading from?” He just stood there smiling. “Haven’t you heard of the Ten Commandments? Thou shalt not kill?”

We then pointed out the fact that it was the 40^th anniversary of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s assassination. “He died fighting for Black Americans’ civil rights. Where is that baby’s civil rights? You share in the bloodguilt. You are assassinating your baby. You are killing off your race.” He just smiled and waved as he walked inside. They never came back out during our watch.         

It’s sickening to face this sin and the hypocrisy in the Church today. We have confronted many a pastor or priest bringing girls for abortions. Some are so bold or just plain stupid as they bring them in their marked church vans. Evidently, they fear man more than God. They don’t stand on Biblical teachings and they tolerate and participate in sin. The poverty of morality has only added to the climbing murder rate in our nation.

We are refusing to deal with the decadence and immorality in our pulpits and we are reaping it in the streets and sowing it in the womb. Over 50 million and no end in sight and we, the Church of Jesus Christ, don’t even blush. This is what happens when a man is out of line. His priorities are distorted and his loins rule his mind. His sacred cow is cash, and his lust for flesh and pride rule his office and position with the Lord. Instead of fasting and praying, they are fleecing and playing. God speaks a word when He tells us He “will hold those shepherds accountable.”

Who is most responsible for the sin of abortion in our nation? We need only look in the mirror.

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Edwardsville woman says priest coerced her abortion

BY BRIAN BRUEGGEMANN

EDWARDSVILLE --

An Edwardsville woman claims in a lawsuit that she became pregnant after having sex with a Catholic priest and had an abortion at his suggestion.

The woman, Holly Force, could not be reached for comment. Her lawyer, David E. Leefers, of Jacksonville , declined comment. Force and her husband, Christopher, are listed as plaintiffs in the lawsuit, which was filed this week in Madison County .

The priest, the Rev. Thomas R. Szydlik, who has not been charged with any crime in connection with the allegation, did not return a call seeking comment. The Roman Catholic Diocese of Peoria, in a prepared statement, said Szydlik "vehemently and adamantly denies" the allegations but has voluntarily stepped down from ministry until the matter is resolved. Also named as defendants are the Catholic Diocese of Peoria and diocese officials.

In her complaint, Holly Force claims Szydlik began pursuing a relationship with her in 2004 while she attended a church in Peoria , where he was working.

The complaint states the Forces later left Peoria and moved to Edwardsville to distance themselves from Szydlik, but he also began living in Edwardsville in 2006.

Holly Force's complaint alleges that she and the priest had sex in April 2006 that was "nonconsensual on her part" and resulted in pregnancy. When she told Szydlik the following month that she was pregnant, he told her he wanted to leave the priesthood and marry her, according to the complaint. But in July 2006, Szydlik told her he wanted to remain a priest, and that "if there is not a baby, there is not a problem," the complaint states.

Force alleges she had an abortion in July 2006 "due to coercion by Szydlik," according to the complaint. It claims the priest manipulated her by telling her their actions were "God's intent."

The diocese lists Szydlik as a priest at Immaculate Conception parish in Nauvoo. He was ordained in 2003.

The diocese, in its statement issued Thursday, said Bishop Daniel Jenky is "very saddened by any allegations involving a priest or a married person breaking their vows."

Diocese Chancellor Patricia Gibson said Szydlik told the bishop in March 2005 that he had feelings for a woman, but that no vows had been broken. Szydlik asked then to be transferred to a different parish.

In February 2006, Szydlik requested a leave of absence, which was granted by the bishop. Szydlik then cut off contact with the diocese, Gibson said.

In September 2006, Szydlik told the bishop his relationship with the woman had ended, and asked that he be allowed to return to active ministry. The bishop sent him to a therapy program, and after five months, Szydlik was allowed to return to ministry under supervision.

Gibson said the lawsuit resulted in Szydlik voluntarily stepping down from ministry until it is resolved.

The diocese said in its statement: "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."

Contact reporter Brian Brueggemann at brueggemann@bnd.com or 692-9481.