Citing the best interest of the victim, prosecutors dismiss criminal charges against a Catholic priest; SNAP reacts
Wyandotte County prosecutors dismissed the charges in a criminal case against an Archdiocese of Kansas City Kansas priest, Fr. Scott Kallal. The cleric was facing two felonies for sexually abusing a child in 2015. While we respect the decision made by the DA's office, our thoughts are with this courageous young survivor and we are concerned about the message this may send to other potential victims who are considering reporting to law enforcement.
In July of 2017 Fr. Kallal was suspended from public ministry after the Archdiocese received allegations from two different sources that he had engaged in "boundary violations." A man stated publicly that, in the summer of 2015, the priest had tickled his 11-year-old daughter and touched her breast at a church gathering. Fr. Kallal denied "any moral misconduct or malicious intent" and was sent to Maryland for treatment. He was arrested shortly thereafter on two counts of aggravated indecent liberties with a child. A trial in September 2019, ended in a hung jury. Fr. Kallal was to be retried in Spring 2020.
According to the independent watchdog group BishopAccountability, Fr. Kallal was ordained in 2011in Kansas City, Kansas, for the Rome-based Apostles of the Interior Life. His whereabouts until 2014 are unclear; the 2013 and 2014 Catholic Directories show that he was assigned to "Further Studies." During 2014-2016 the clergyman was an assistant priest at St. Patrick's in Kansas City, after which he assumed the same role at Holy Spirit in Overland Park. That is a quick change in assignments, and it is concerning to us.
We are also concerned with the whereabouts of Fr. Kallal in 2013-2014. Where exactly was he and what was this newly ordained priest doing during that period of time? To us this is another red flag and it is the responsibility and obligation of the Archdiocese of Kansas City to make this information public. Furthermore, we believe that the Archdiocese, along with the Wyandotte County prosecutors, should be urging anyone who may have suffered, witnessed or suspected Fr. Kallal of abuse in any of his assignments to come forward immediately to law enforcement.
Winter Appeal 2023
To our friends,
2023 has been a long year with many ups and downs for us all. As we close out the year, we at SNAP hope that you are feeling like you are on your way to being healthy, fulfilled, and happy. This past year has brought both successes and challenges. Thanks to the support you have shown in the past, we’ve been able to celebrate the good days and weather the stormy ones. Now, we are once again asking for your support as we work to support survivors new and old as we ‘Move SNAP Forward.’
At SNAP we are proud to have hosted a very well-attended conference in August 2023. This event allowed us to gather friends, survivors, advocates, and allies for a weekend of camaraderie and connection. We were so happy to be able to welcome many first-time attendees to gather in person and are already looking forward to the next conference.
To strengthen our movement for justice, healing, and prevention, SNAP will be expanding our peer support and providing more volunteer opportunities in the coming year. Through this great work, we are ensuring survivor voices are represented as we work for significant change that will benefit children and survivors.
Right now, survivors worldwide are getting the help they need from SNAP, and more and more reach out to us daily, but we need your help to keep those programs going and get our volunteers the training they need to thrive.
Your tax-deductible gift to SNAP can help offset the cost of our important mission. If you are not in a position to contribute, you can still support us by sharing this letter with those who can. As we continue to fight for survivors across the globe, your donation or sharing the great work SNAP does will help us continue our work to protect the vulnerable, heal the wounded, and prevent abuse.
Your donation ensures SNAP will be there for those who need us more than ever!
Warmly,
Michael W. McDonnell, C.P.S.
Interim Executive Director