TOPEKA (KS)
KSNT-TV [Topeka KS]
May 20, 2025
By Matthew Self
Catholic Church officials in Kansas have released new reports this month into allegations of abuse against three former priests.
The Catholic Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas released three announcements on May 12 regarding allegations of abuse against three of its priests. Fr. Joseph Cramer, Fr. Donald Redmond and Fr. John “Fidelis” Forrester are named in the announcements.
Each of the priests died before the release of the abuse allegations this month. The priests served at dozens of different churches across Kansas, including in the areas of Topeka, Lawrence, Atchison, Seneca, Sabetha, Olathe, Emporia, Marysville and more.
The Archdiocese called the allegations of abuse “credible” and “substantiated” for the priests. Allegations designated as substantiated are corroborated with evidence such as witness statements, documents, emails, photos and other sources of information or law enforcement authorities.
All three priests were added to the Substantiated Clergy Offenders list, which can be found online here. Inclusion on this list does not necessarily mean the priests were found guilty of a crime or are liable for civil claims, according to the Archdiocese.
Fr. Joseph Cramer
Cramer was accused of sexual abuse of minors, according to the Archdiocese’s website. There have also been substantiated allegations against him of abuse of a vulnerable adult.
- Ordained in 1977.
- Died in 2022.
- Estimated timeframe of abuse: 1987-1992.
- Churches he served at under the Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas:
- Cure of Ars Catholic Church in Leawood.
- Bishop Miege High School in Roeland Park.
- Holy Name Church in Topeka.
- Hayden High School in Topeka.
- Sacred Heart of Jesus Catholic Church in Paxico.
- Savior of the World High School Seminary in Kansas City.
- St. Paul Catholic Church in Olathe.
- Didde Catholic Campus Center (formerly Emporia State & Schooling) in Emporia.
- Assumption in Reading.
- St. Leo’s Catholic Parish in Horton.
- St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Purcell.
- St. Gregory the Great Catholic Church in Marysville.
- St. Malachy’s Church in Beattie.
- St. Philip Neri Church in Osawatomie.
- Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Mound City.
- Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church in LaCygne.
- Divine Mercy Parish (formerly Sacred Heart Catholic Church) in Gardner.
Fr. Donald Redmond
An investigation by the Archdiocese found credible allegations against Redmond of abuse against an adult, according to the Archdiocese’s website. Redmond has appeared on the Substantiated Clergy Offenders list before. He also served in the Diocese of Davenport, Iowa.
- Ordained in 1957.
- Died in 2019.
- Removed from ministry in 2002.
- Estimated timeframe of abuse: 1960-1968.
- Churches he served at in the Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas:
- St. Peter and St. Paul in Seneca.
- St. Lawrence Catholic Campus Center in Lawrence.
- Benedictine College in Atchison.
- Sacred Heart Parish in Atchison.
- St. James Parish in Wetmore.
- Sacred Heart Parish in Sabetha.
- St. Augustine Parish in Fidelity.
Fr. John “Fidelis” Forrester
The Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas and St. Benedict’s Abbey report that Forrester was recently the subject of substantiated allegations of sexual abuse of a minor, according to the Archdiocese’s website. He was also found to have substantiated allegations against him from outside the Archdiocese. Forrester also served in the Archdiocese of Seattle, Washington and the Diocese of Davenport, Iowa.
- Ordained in 1954.
- Died in 2022.
- Estimated timeframe of abuse: 1947-1961.
- Churches he served at in the Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas:
- Prior to becoming a priest:
- Camp St. Maur Hill in Atchison.
- Maur Hill Mount-Academy in Atchison.
- Mount St. Scholastica Academy in Atchison.
- Ursuline Academy in Paola.
- After becoming a priest:
- St. Peter and Paul Parish in Seneca.
- Prior to becoming a priest:
The Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas said it takes all allegations of misconduct by its personnel seriously and will investigate allegations even if they happened decades ago. It encourages people who have knowledge of misconduct by a church volunteer, employee, religious or clergy member to contact law enforcement before calling or texting the Archdiocese’s confidential reporting number.
“My thoughts go out to all survivors of clerical sexual abuse, and I pray for their healing. The Archdiocese and St. Benedict’s Abbey make these public announcements with the hope that it may enable others to come forward and allow the Church to meet our obligation to a survivor’s healing. Our desire is for the Church to be transparent when priests and other representatives of the Church betray the trust of God’s people and become instruments of harm instead of mercy and healing.
I invite survivors of abuse in the Church to engage with our Office for Protection and Care and participate in our restorative process aimed at accountability and peace. I am grateful to the Office for Protection and Care, which has been dedicated to making our response to the tragedy of clerical sexual abuse victim-centered. I recognize that each survivor walks their own path, and as the institution that caused the harm, we must meet them where they are, offering support without judgment and respecting their unique journey.”
Archbishop Joseph Naumann of the Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas
You can make a report to the Archdiocese by calling 913-276-8703 or by clicking here. You can also get in touch with a victim care advocate by calling 913-298-9244.