LEAWOOD (KS)
KMBC - ABC 9 [Kansas City MO]
September 17, 2025
By Nick Sloan
A priest at a Catholic church in Johnson County, Kansas, is stepping down amid a criminal investigation.
The Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas says Father Richard Storey resigned Wednesday as pastor of Curé of Ars Parish in Leawood.
The Prairie Village Police Department recently informed the archdiocese of a criminal investigation into Storey. The investigation involves Storey and another adult.
As of this week, there have been no charges filed against Storey, according to court records.
The archdiocese said it is cooperating with investigators and that they have opened a preliminary canonical investigation.
Storey has also been suspended from the public exercise of ministry and may not celebrate Mass or perform pastoral duties during the investigation.
Father John Riley, the archdiocese’s vicar general, has been named the interim administrator of the parish.
“We are devastated by this situation,” part of the statement reads. “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.”
In the archdiocese’s statement, they are encouraging anyone with information to contact Prairie Village police.
The Prairie Village Police Department provided this statement:
“The Prairie Village Police Department 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. The Archdiocese of Kansas City released a statement informing the public that the pastor has resigned. 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.”