Kansas priest suspended due to child sex abuse report; SNAP urges outreach

May 02, 2022

A Kansas priest who's been called "a new kind of radio priest" for his efforts to reach the young through rock music, has just been suspended because of a child sex abuse report. We call on six Catholic officials in Kansas and Colorado to immediately reach out - via public announcements, mailings, and other means - to anyone who might have information or suspicions about the cleric.

For four decades, he has been a high school administrator, youth pastor, and parish priest.
https://www.bishop-accountability.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/news-1998-06-05-Allen-Reaching-kids.pdf

Fr. Michael Scully's suspension was announced on March 25, 2022, in the Kansas City Kansas archdiocesan publication, The Leaven.

https://www.bishop-accountability.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/news-2022-03-25-theleaven-statement-from.pdf

In the Kansas City KS archdiocese, Fr. Scully worked at two parishes - St. John the Evangelist in Lawrence and Holy Family in Eudora. He was also assigned to the Haskell Indian Nations Campus Catholic Center in Lawrence.

In the Salina diocese, he worked at St. Joseph’s parish and headed Thomas More Prep-Marian High School, both in Hays.

In Colorado, Fr. Scully belongs to - and from 2001-2007 headed - a Denver-based religious order called the Capuchins. (303.477.5436, [email protected]). https://capuchins.org/ninth-triennium-2001-2004/

We in SNAP beg two Kansas church officials (Kansas City Kansas Archbishop Joseph Naumann and Salina Bishop Gerald L. Vincke), two Colorado church officials (Denver-based Archbishop Samuel Aquila and Capuchin Br. Mark Schenk), and two Thomas More Prep-Marian High School officials (Principal Chat Meitner, [email protected] and Alumni Director Wanda Billinger, [email protected]) to use their considerable resources to aggressively seek out anyone who may have seen, suspected or suffered crimes or cover-ups by Fr. Scully or his supervisors or colleagues.

It's crucial that other possible victims, witnesses, and whistleblowers be prodded to come forward so that the truth can be determined, kids can be protected and victims can heal.

This is especially important because the Kansas Bureau of Investigation is currently looking into child sex crimes and cover-ups by Catholic officials and institutions.

https://www.bishop-accountability.org/accused/scully-michael-1965/

According to a glowing 1998 profile in the National Catholic Reporter, Fr. Scully "has and continues to have offers regularly to become a media personality on a national scale."

CONTACT: David Clohessy, SNAP, St. Louis, Missouri (314 566 9790, [email protected]), Mike McDonnell, SNAP Communications Manager (267-261-0578, [email protected]) Zach Hiner, SNAP Executive Director (517-974-9009, [email protected])

(SNAP, the Survivors Network, has been providing support for victims of sexual abuse in institutional settings for more than 30 years. We have more than 25,000 survivors and supporters in our network. Our website is www.snapnetwork.org)

Spread the Word!
Sign in if you'd like new recruits to be credited to you.

Showing 4 comments

Sarah Wamser followed this page 2022-05-05 19:20:18 -0500
Kevin Rupp followed this page 2022-05-02 15:01:09 -0500
Thaine Kramer followed this page 2022-05-02 13:35:18 -0500
Michael McDonnell published this page in Official SNAP Media Statements 2022-05-02 10:49:06 -0500

Donate Report Abuse to your AG

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

Share Your Story Get Help Now Locations

Join our mailing list!

Protect the vulnerable. Heal the wounded. Prevent the abuse.

Survivor

Supporter

Country