Kansas City deacon remains suspended from ministry after man withdraws sex abuse claim
The Diocese of Kansas City-St. Joseph Catholic Center at 20 W. Ninth Street, Kansas City, is pictured in a Google Maps Street View image. Google Maps
December 05, 2024
By Kendrick Calfee
One man among a group suing the Archdiocese of St. Louis for allegations of sexual abuse, and its cover-up, has dismissed his claim that a man alleged to now be a Kansas City deacon abused him in the 1980s, online court records show.
However, Ralph Wehner, a Kansas City deacon, remains suspended from ministry while church officials investigate the claim, a Kansas City-St. Joseph diocese spokesperson said. A man identified as W.C. in court documents dismissed his claim of abuse by Wehner on Nov. 21.
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The Missouri chapter of the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests has called on the diocese to be transparent with church members throughout its investigation into the sex abuse claim.
David Clohessy, the organization’s Missouri director, said SNAP has urged church officials to make clear appeals to the public to share any information about known or suspected crimes or cover ups. Thus far, church officials have failed to do that, Clohessy said.
“Church officials should do this now, reminding their flock that ‘the truth shall set you free’ and that they have a moral and civic duty to help protect kids and help unearth the facts,” Clohessy said.
Most often in abuse and cover up cases, Clohessy said survivors dismiss their claims because litigation can be stressful and that plaintiffs, “wisely put (their) own psychological health and stability first.”
Clohessy said that by now, Missouri Catholic officials should have been able to determine if the Kansas City deacon is the same man who was accused in St. Louis. To not say so either way and fail to inform parishioners is irresponsible, Clohessy said.
“We strongly suspect that for almost five months now, bishops have known this is the same man but to selfishly protect their reputations, comfort and assets, they’re hiding this fact,” he said. “If they claim they’re still not sure, It’s really hard to believe them.”
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