KCK archdiocese pulls priest from public ministry amid misconduct investigation
The Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas has temporarily pulled a priest from public ministry while an investigation is underway into an allegation of misconduct with a minor more than 20 years ago.
The allegation involves the Rev. Eric Flood, according to an announcement posted Monday on the archdiocese’s website. Flood, who is with the Priestly Fraternity of St. Peter, is listed as the chaplain of St. John Vianney in Maple Hill on the church’s website. Maple Hill is about 20 miles west of Topeka.
The St. John Vianney Latin Mass Community is a chaplaincy under the Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas and administered by the Priestly Fraternity of St. Peter, the church’s website says. FSSP priests serve around the world and celebrate the Traditional Latin Mass and Sacraments.
Monday’s announcement said the Priestly Fraternity of St. Peter notified the KCK archdiocese that the Archdiocese of Omaha had recently received the allegation regarding Flood.
“This allegation was immediately reported to law enforcement, in accordance with mandatory reporting requirements,” it said. “Consistent with the Archdiocese’s commitment to the protection of children and persons in vulnerable situations, and pending the outcome of investigations by civil authorities and the Archdiocese of Omaha, Father Flood has been temporarily withdrawn from the public exercise of priestly ministry, including celebrating Mass and other public ministerial duties.”
The action, the announcement said, was an administrative measure “intended to protect all parties, including Father Flood, and should not be interpreted as a determination regarding the allegation.”
“No conclusion has been reached, and Father Flood is entitled to the presumption of innocence and to a fair and impartial process,” it said. “Father Flood is cooperating fully with the investigation and adamantly denies the accusation.”
The archdiocese said Flood has relocated outside the state of Kansas during the investigation.
“The archdiocese is cooperating fully with civil authorities, the Archdiocese of Omaha, and the Priestly Fraternity of Saint Peter,” the announcement said. “Upon completion of this investigation, the Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas’ Independent Review Board will conduct a review and provide recommendations to the Archbishop, who will determine any appropriate action.”
Those with information about the issue are encouraged to contact the Douglas County, Nebraska, District Attorney at (402) 444-7040, the archdiocese said.
The archdiocese urged anyone with knowledge of any misconduct by a church volunteer, staff or clergy member, regardless of when the incident occurred, to first contact civil authorities, then call or text the archdiocese’s confidential report line at 913-276-8703 or online at www.archkck.org/reportabuse.
“We ask all to refrain from rumor and speculation and instead entrust this matter to prayer and the proper processes of law enforcement and the Church,” the archdiocese said.
Other misconduct allegations
The case is among several involving allegations of misconduct that the archdiocese has been dealing with in recent months.
On July 2, the archdiocese announced it had substantiated an allegation of sexual abuse of a minor against a former teacher who worked at two area high schools.
Archbishop Shawn McKnight determined the allegation against James Zimmer to be credible following an investigation by the Independent Review Board, the archdiocese said in a statement posted on its website.
Zimmer taught at Bishop Miege Catholic High School in Roeland Park from 1969 to 1984, the archdiocese said. The allegation was reported to have occurred during that time. Zimmer also taught at Rockhurst High School in Kansas City from 1987 to 1993, according to the announcement. He died on June 1, 2000.
The archdiocese also continues to investigate former Bishop Miege President Phil Baniewicz, who was ousted last August after allegations surfaced about inappropriate behavior with a minor.
And the archdiocese is in the midst of a criminal case involving a former Leawood priest.
The Rev. Richard Storey, who resigned last September as pastor of Curé of Ars Catholic Church in Leawood amid an investigation into a separate issue, was charged in Johnson County District Court on May 13 with felony theft.
The total suspected unauthorized spending by Storey was $159,326.92, according to court documents. The alleged theft included $77,000 for cruises, a nearly $24,000 “casino cash withdraw” and $27,000 for travel to several international destinations.
The theft is alleged to have occurred between Jan. 1, 2021, and Dec. 31, 2025. Storey pleaded not guilty on June 2 and is out on $25,000 bond. His next court appearance is scheduled for Wednesday.
