Albert Rudolph Zuroweste

Albert Rudolph Zuroweste (April 26, 1901 – March 28, 1987) was an American Catholic prelate who served as Bishop of Belleville from 1948 to 1976.

[1] Starting in 1934, Zuroweste served as editor of the diocesan newspaper, The Messenger, and as superintendent of Central Catholic High School in Belleville from 1934 to 1947.

He also provided facilities for Black Power activists looking to challenge racial discrimination in that city, including Charles Koen and his United Front organization.

[4] Zuroweste came under pressure from White Cairo residents to recall Montroy, but gave him qualified support after demands from progressive Catholic organizations.

After several shooting incidents, Montroy accused a local white group of vigilantism and St. Patrick's pastor of trying to oust him.

In 1973 Gina Parks, a 16 year-old parishioner in St. Francisville, Illinois, told diocesan officials that her parish priest, Raymond Kownacki, had raped and impregnated her.

By 1982, allegations surfaced that Kownacki was sexually abusing young boys at St. Theresa, resulting in the 2008 lawsuit.