Leawood priest resigns amid criminal investigation, KCK archdiocese says

The pastor of Cure of Ars Catholic Church in Leawood has resigned amid a criminal investigation now underway by Prairie Village police, the Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas has announced.

The Rev. Richard Storey informed the archdiocese on Wednesday of his decision to resign, the archdiocese said in a statement posted on its website.

“The Prairie Village Police Department has informed the Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas of a criminal investigation involving Father Storey concerning another adult,” the statement said. “The Archdiocese is fully cooperating with authorities so they can investigate the serious allegations being made against Father Storey.”

Archbishop Shawn McKnight has launched a preliminary canonical investigation into the issue as well, the archdiocese said.

“Due to Father Storey’s decision to resign, and in compliance with archdiocesan policy, he has been temporarily suspended from the public exercise of priestly ministry,” the statement said. “He is not allowed to function publicly as a priest during this time, which includes celebrating Mass and performing pastoral duties.

“He is presumed innocent until the investigations are concluded.”

The archdiocese’s vicar general, the Rev. John Riley, has been appointed as the parish’s temporary administrator, the statement said. No additional information on the issue will be provided during the investigation, it said.

“We are devastated by this situation,” the archdiocese said. “While we cooperate with law enforcement and engage in our own efforts to understand the circumstances and to determine next steps for the community, we also ask for prayers for all affected.”

The Prairie Village Police Department issued a statement late Wednesday afternoon saying it is conducting “a criminal investigation into an allegation reported to have occurred in Prairie Village.“

“The investigation involves an adult victim and a pastor of Cure of Ars Parish in Leawood,” it said. “ ... This is an ongoing investigation, and anyone with information related to this allegation or any other is urged to contact the Prairie Village Police Department at 913-642-6868 or the TIPS Hotline at 816-474-8477.”

The archdiocese asked those with information they believe authorities should know to contact Prairie Village police.

Storey, a popular priest in the archdiocese, celebrated Mass last month at the annual Kansas City Irish Fest. He is known among parishioners as “Father Short Story” because his homilies are brief and to the point. His resignation comes as the Cure of Ars Parish is in the midst of a capital campaign.

McKnight, former bishop of the Diocese of Jefferson City, was installed May 27 as the 12th bishop and fifth archbishop of the Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas after being appointed by Pope Francis to replace retiring Archbishop Joseph F. Naumann.

The suspension marks the third time in recent weeks that the archdiocese has publicly addressed allegations of misconduct involving leaders in its community.

On Aug. 6, the board of trustees at Bishop Miege High School in Roeland Park fired its president, Phil Baniewicz, amid an investigation into allegations of inappropriate behavior with a minor.

The board chair said an independent, professional firm had been hired to conduct an investigation and that more information would be shared as it became available.

And on Aug. 14, McKnight announced that the archdiocese had temporarily removed the Rev. Jerry Arano-Ponce, a priest at Queen of the Holy Rosary-Wea Parish, while investigations were conducted into allegations of questionable behavior.

In a Sept. 2 update, the archdiocese said the investigation by the Miami County Sheriff’s Office remained ongoing.

“The Archdiocese is fully cooperating with law enforcement,” it said. “In accordance with standard protocol, Archbishop Shawn McKnight has suspended the Church’s internal investigation until the civil investigation has concluded. Anyone with information or concerns about this situation is encouraged to contact the Miami County Sheriff’s Office at (913) 294-3232.”

This story was originally published September 17, 2025 at 5:14 PM.