The Kansas City Catholic Diocese is facing more lawsuits in the priest abuse scandal.And, victim advocates said since the Papal Visit to the U.S. in April, more people have come forward with cases.
Advocates said these latest cases make four new ones in the past two weeks in the metro.
Statement of the Catholic Diocese of Kansas City and St. Joseph
DisclaimerEarlier today (Thursday, June 19), through media reports the Catholic Diocese of Kansas City ~ St. Joseph has learned of two civil lawsuits filed in Jackson County Circuit Court alleging sexual abuse by former priests of the diocese - Thomas J. O'Brien, Thomas M. Reardon, and Steven Wise.
At this time, the diocese does not know the identity of the persons filing the suits and cannot comment on the substance of the complaints, which are reported to have occurred in the late 1970s.
Complaints alleging abuse by Thomas O'Brien and Thomas Reardon have received previous media attention. Thomas M. Reardon, Jr., was ordained a priest for the diocese in 1967. Over the next 22 years, he served in five parishes. Reardon resigned as pastor of St. John Francis Regis Parish in April 1989. Since that time, he has never functioned as a priest or in any capacity for the diocese.
Ordained in 1950, Thomas O'Brien retired from parish ministry in 1984. In his retirement, he served as a part-time hospital chaplain until he retired in 2002. Since that time, he has not served in any ministerial capacity.
Steven Wise was ordained in 1979. Wise left the priesthood in 1986 and subsequently married. His pastoral assignments include: the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, in Kansas City, Our Lady of the Presentation Parish, in Lee's Summit, and, St. Gregory Barbarigo Parish, in Maryville.
The Diocese of Kansas City ~ St. Joseph has made known that it will respond to any allegation of abuse. When complaints arise, a team of lay professionals meet with the individual making the complaint to work for healing and reconciliation. Diocesan policies affirm full cooperation with the requirements of the law for reporting abuse and include lay involvement in responding to complaints and making recommendations to the bishop.
The diocese expresses its profound sorrow and sincere apology to all those who believe that they have been harmed by a priest or other representative of the church. First and foremost, we apologize to anyone who has suffered sexual abuse and their families. We also acknowledge that the people of God and the overwhelming numbers of faithful priests have been traumatized by this scandal as well. Those who have perpetuated the abuse have harmed the church immeasurably.
Make a Confidential Report
Any person with knowledge of sexual misconduct with a minor should make a report to the appropriate civil authorities.
To make a report to the diocese, please call or write: Reverend Msgr. Robert Murphy
Leslie Guillott, the Victim's Advocate, at (816) 361-2666
At this time, the diocese does not know the identity of the persons filing the suits and cannot comment on the substance of the complaints, which are reported to have occurred in the late 1970s.
Complaints alleging abuse by Thomas O'Brien and Thomas Reardon have received previous media attention. Thomas M. Reardon, Jr., was ordained a priest for the diocese in 1967. Over the next 22 years, he served in five parishes. Reardon resigned as pastor of St. John Francis Regis Parish in April 1989. Since that time, he has never functioned as a priest or in any capacity for the diocese.
Ordained in 1950, Thomas O'Brien retired from parish ministry in 1984. In his retirement, he served as a part-time hospital chaplain until he retired in 2002. Since that time, he has not served in any ministerial capacity.
Steven Wise was ordained in 1979. Wise left the priesthood in 1986 and subsequently married. His pastoral assignments include: the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, in Kansas City, Our Lady of the Presentation Parish, in Lee's Summit, and, St. Gregory Barbarigo Parish, in Maryville.
The Diocese of Kansas City ~ St. Joseph has made known that it will respond to any allegation of abuse. When complaints arise, a team of lay professionals meet with the individual making the complaint to work for healing and reconciliation. Diocesan policies affirm full cooperation with the requirements of the law for reporting abuse and include lay involvement in responding to complaints and making recommendations to the bishop.
The diocese expresses its profound sorrow and sincere apology to all those who believe that they have been harmed by a priest or other representative of the church. First and foremost, we apologize to anyone who has suffered sexual abuse and their families. We also acknowledge that the people of God and the overwhelming numbers of faithful priests have been traumatized by this scandal as well. Those who have perpetuated the abuse have harmed the church immeasurably.
Make a Confidential Report
Any person with knowledge of sexual misconduct with a minor should make a report to the appropriate civil authorities.
To make a report to the diocese, please call or write: Reverend Msgr. Robert Murphy
Leslie Guillott, the Victim's Advocate, at (816) 361-2666
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