Nun Claims Sex Abuse In Convent

MINEOLA, N.Y. - A nun has filed a lawsuit claiming she was molested by her mother superior at a convent 26 years ago.

Sister Jean Patricia Henninger said she kept silent about the alleged abuse for years and was transferred to another convent. But in 1989, when Henninger learned that Sister Gloria Czarniewicz was to become her superior again, she reported Czarniewicz to the order, said Henninger's lawyer, Michael Montesano.

Henninger's accusations were ignored and she went on leave, Montesano said. She accuses Czarniewicz of sexually abusing her three times in 1968.

Stephen Donahue, attorney for the Monroe, Conn.-based order Sisters of the Holy Family of Nazareth, didn't immediately return a telephone call yesterday.

The lawsuit said Czarniewicz, then 40, went into Henninger's room while she was asleep and fondled her.

Henninger, who was 20 at the time, said Czarniewicz told her: "You didn't feel anything last night. Who could you tell? No one would believe a postulant over a mother superior," Montesano said.

The criminal statute of limitations for the alleged sex abuse expired about 20 years ago. Montesano said he plans to argue that the statute shouldn't have taken effect until after Henninger took her leave in 1989.

The lawsuit seeks damages for severe psychological trauma and names numerous defendants, including Czarniewicz, the order and the Diocese of Rockville Centre.