KANSAS CITY (KS)
Kansas City Star [Kansas City MO]
May 2, 2022
By Luke Nozicka
The Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas has suspended a Lawrence-based priest after receiving an allegation of sexual abuse of a minor.
The archdiocese was notified of the allegation Feb. 28 against Father Michael Scully, who most recently worked at Haskell Indian Nations University’s Catholic Camps Center in Lawrence.
The accusation stems from Scully’s ministry “outside the archdiocese,” according to a church statement published in March 25’s issue of The Leaven, the archdiocese’s official newspaper.
Scully denies the accusation and is cooperating fully, the statement added.
“Upon notification of the allegation the (Capuchin Franciscans Province of Mid-America) and the archdiocese relieved Father Scully from public exercise of priestly ministry pending the outcome of the investigation and review process,” the archdiocese said.
During his time in the archdiocese, Scully has also served at St. John the Evangelist Parish in Lawrence and Holy Family Parish in Eudora.
The archdiocese urged anyone with information about “any misconduct by any” church personnel to come forward.
In a news release Monday, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests urged Catholic officials in Kansas and Colorado, where Scully previously worked, to publicly seek information from anyone with information about the priest. The group said Scully also worked in Hays at Thomas More Prep-Marian and St Joseph’s Catholic Church.
“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,” SNAP said.
In October, Kansas lawmakers were told that the Kansas Bureau of Investigation had opened 122 cases relating to clergy sexual abuse in the state’s Catholic dioceses since it launched an investigation in November 2018.