KC diocese substantiates new allegation of priest sexual abuse involving a minor
The Kansas City-St. Joseph diocese on Friday announced it had substantiated a new allegation of priest sexual abuse involving a minor.
The allegation against the Rev. Alan Hartway was deemed credible by the diocese’s ombudsman, Independent Review Board and Bishop James V. Johnston Jr., the diocese said in a notice posted on its website.
“Bishop Johnston and diocesan leaders recognize how difficult it can be for a survivor of clergy sexual abuse to come forward and appreciate the great courage it takes in making a report to the Church,” the diocese said.
The abuse occurred when Hartway was assigned as associate pastor of St. James Parish in Liberty, the diocese said.
“Fr. Hartway moved to become Pastor of St. Mary Parish in Garden City, KS, and after working various teaching assignments throughout the Midwest, he served as Parochial Vicar for Guardian Angels Parish in Mead, CO,” the diocese said. “This communication is being shared with the dioceses of the parish communities where he served.”
Last year, Hartway got approval from the Archdiocese of Denver to officially designate his parish in Mead as a “sanctuary for victims of human trafficking.”
Hartway’s name has been added to the Kansas City-St. Joseph diocese’s list of accused clerics with substantiated allegations.
The diocese said Hartway, 71, was removed from ministry in the Archdiocese of Denver on Nov. 27, 2019, pending the outcome of the investigation. The Precious Blood community, the religious order to which he belongs, also has restricted his exercise of priestly ministry, according to the notice. Hartway, who was ordained in 1976 for the Society of the Precious Blood, has since retired, the diocese said.
According to his LinkedIn page, Hartway was on the faculty at Naropa University in Boulder, Colorado, from 2005 through 2012, six of those years as chair of Interdisciplinary Studies. Since 2013, it says, he has been an adjunct faculty member there, teaching a writing seminar and a Master of Divinity course called “Biblical Texts for Pastoral Care.”
“If you were harmed by Fr. Hartway or any other person who has worked or volunteered for the diocese, no matter how long ago, the diocese wants to provide care and healing resources to you and your family,” the Kansas City-St. Joseph diocese said. “Please contact the Ombudsman, Joe Crayon, at 816.812.2500 or crayon@ombudsmankcsj.org.”
To report suspicions of abuse, call the Missouri Child Abuse Hotline at 1-800-392-3738 if the victim is currently under 18 and contact your local law enforcement agency.
This story was originally published July 31, 2020 at 3:32 PM.
