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Bishop Miege president restricted from all ministry amid allegations
KANSAS CITY, Mo. — The Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas announced that Bishop Miege High School president Phil Baniewicz has been restricted from all active ministry due to allegations of inappropriate behavior with a minor.
Earlier this month, Archbishop Shawn McKnight announced that the executive committee of Bishop Miege High School's Board of Trustees decided to place Baniewicz on administrative leave amid reports 'concerning his ability to oversee a safe environment.' The archbishop said he supported the committee's decision 'for the well-being of the school.'
Bishop Miege High School president placed on leave amid safety concerns
Following the announcement on June 6, Baniewicz was placed on administrative leave at Bishop Miege High School. The Archdiocese of KCK would not do an interview with FOX4 Tuesday.
'This is not being transparent,' Missouri Volunteer Leader of the Survivors Network of Those Abused By Priests (SNAP) David Clohessy said in an interview with FOX4. 'To use these kinds of words that are misleading and minimizing. First of all… it rubs salt into the wounds of people who've already been victimized, and secondly, it leads to complacency.'
The Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas said it received previously undisclosed information that has not been made public. Civil authorities have been notified of this information.
As of June 17, Baniewicz has been prohibited from engaging in youth ministry and volunteer work in any Catholic parish, school, institution or event in the Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas.
The Archdiocese said he is no longer allowed to represent the Church in any official, volunteer, ministerial or leadership role.
Baniewicz has signed an 'archdiocesan safety plan,' which states he agrees not to contact anyone known to have made an accusation of abuse or misconduct against him or who may be a witness known to him, the Archdiocese said.
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Archbishop McKnight said it is important to protect young people in the congregation.
'Each of us has a responsibility to ensure a safe environment that protects the dignity of our vulnerable sisters and brothers, especially children and youth,' he said.
'Please continue to pray for those impacted by this situation, especially those who have experienced harm. May Mary, Mother of the Church, protect and guide us as we strive to follow her son.'
Joe Schramp is now serving as the interim president of Bishop Miege High School.
'Time and time again, church officials make an offhanded remark, 'If you know something or saw something, call us,'' Clohessy said. 'That's wrong. These are criminal matters or at least potentially criminal matters, and they should be reported to civil authorities, not church figures.'
Tuesday's Archdiocese release does say that any abuse should first be reported to civil authorities like the Kansas Department of Children and Families through their Kansas Protection Report Center phone number.
'We collaborate with local municipalities or county municipalities such as, perhaps a sheriff's office if they have jurisdiction, but yes, we would be civil or public government authority,' Deputy Secretary of the Kansas Department for Children and Families (DCF) Tanya Keys said.
The Johnson County Sheriff's Office confirmed they're not handling the Baniewicz investigation. They recommended we reach out to the Roeland Park Police Department since that's where the school's located. That department told FOX4 they're not investigating Baniewicz either.
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'Certainly, for certain types of alleged abuse or neglect or harm, we have policies and procedures that we follow,' Keys added. 'Sometimes, depending on the circumstances, law enforcement and DCF are required to jointly investigate, so some of that is set forth in state law in terms of roles and responsibilities.'
Keys said the number for the Kansas Protection Report Center is 1-800-922-5330.
Anyone with concerns is asked to call or text the Office for Protection and Care at 913-276-8703 or visit
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