Archdiocese of
Kansas City, Kansas
The Archdiocese of Kansas City, Kansas (“the Archdiocese”), was established as a diocese in Leavenworth, Kansas, in 1877, was moved to Kansas City in 1947, and was designated an archdiocese in 1952. The Archdiocese encompasses 21 counties in northeastern Kansas, consists of 119 parishes and 48 schools, and serves a population of 190,000 registered Catholics with 118 diocesan priests. The Most Reverend James P. Keleher, who was installed as archbishop in 1993, leads the Archdiocese. A compliance audit of the Archdiocese was conducted during the period of September 29–October 3, 2003.

The information set forth below represents conditions as they were found during the week of the audit.

Findings

To Promote Healing and Reconciliation
The Archdiocese has established an outreach program. The archbishop, or his designee, has met or offered to meet with victims/survivors of abuse in the Archdiocese who have reported the abuse since June 2002. The victim assistance coordinator is Dr. Daniel Pope. The archdiocesan review board was originally established in 1996. It was reorganized by the archbishop in 2002 and consists of seven members, including a priest and six respected members of the lay community. The procedures for making a complaint of abuse are readily available in printed form. There have been no confidentiality agreements entered into by the Archdiocese since June 2002.

To Guarantee Effective Response to Allegations of Abuse of a Minor
The Archdiocese has established effective liaison with local civil authorities, ensuring an open dialogue regarding sexual abuse allegations. The Archdiocese has a procedure in place to advise victims/survivors of their right to report allegations of abuse by a member of the clergy to civil authorities. The Archdiocese has established a clear and well-publicized code of conduct for priests and deacons. The Archdiocese has a communications policy that reflects the archbishop’s pledge to be open and transparent on issues regarding the sexual abuse of children.

To Ensure Accountability of Procedures
The Archdiocese has participated in the research study regarding the “nature and scope” of the problem of sexual abuse of minors by Catholic clergy.

To Protect the Faithful in the Future
The Archdiocese has selected and implemented the VIRTUS safe environment program, consisting of training for all parish and archdiocesan personnel who have regular contact with children. The Archdiocese has publicized standards of conduct for priests and deacons, as well as diocesan employees, volunteers, and any other church personnel in positions of trust who have regular contact with children and young people. The Archdiocese is conducting background investigations for all archdiocesan and parish personnel who have regular contact with minors. The Archdiocese has not transferred any priest or deacon who has had a credible allegation of sexual abuse lodged against him to another diocese for ministerial assignment, or for purposes of residency. The archbishop, or his delegate, and the major superiors have coordinated their respective roles regarding issues of allegations of sexual abuse made against a cleric member of a religious institute. The Archdiocese has not had an opportunity to cooperate with other churches, religious bodies, and institutions of learning in conducting research in the area of sexual abuse of minors. The Archdiocese has established screening and evaluative techniques in the selection of candidates for ordination. The Archdiocese has a systematic, ongoing formation program in keeping with the Basic Plan for the Ongoing Formation of Priests (2001).¹

Compliance with the Provisions of the Charter

At the conclusion of this audit, the Archdiocese of Kansas City was issued one Commendation. The Archdiocese of Kansas City was found to be compliant with the provisions of the Charter as measured by the process described in Chapter 2 in Section I.

COMMENDATION—For the early (1990) implementation of comprehensive policies and procedures for dealing with the problem of sexual abuse of minors, and for continuous improvement of those policies and procedures, resulting in an excellent program worthy of note.

Note

1. USCCB, Basic Plan for the Ongoing Formation of Priests (Washington, DC: USCCB, 2001).

The compliance audit measured activity that has occurred since the adoption of the Charter in June 2002 with the exception of certain mandated actions found in Articles 5 and 14. Actions taken by the diocese/eparchy prior to June 2002 to address allegations of sexual abuse of minors by priests and deacons are not included in this summary report.




__________________________________

Office of Child and Youth Protection
United States Conference of Catholic Bishops
3211 4th Street, N.E., Washington, DC 20017-1194
(202) 541-5413 | FAX: (202) 541-5410
Email: ocyp@usccb.org