KANSAS CITY (KS)
KCTV CBS 5 [Kansas City, MO]
August 20, 2026
By Sarah Motter
The Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas has barred a former Bishop Miege High School president from any work involving minors following an independent investigation.
The Church said Archbishop Shawn McKnight signed the formal canonical decree, acting on a recommendation from the Archdiocese’s Independent Review Board.
Leaders indicated that the board’s recommendation followed an outside investigation into allegations concerning Phil Baniewicz’s ability to oversee a safe environment for minors and vulnerable adults.
What McKnight Said
“The protection of minors and persons in vulnerable situations is fundamental to the mission of our church,” Archbishop Shawn McKnight said. “As believers and followers of Jesus Christ, we have a sacred responsibility to safeguard the innate human dignity of every person and to hold one another, especially those who exercise authority and power in the Church, to the high moral standards of our faith.”
Timeline of Events
The Church indicated the following:
- June 5, 2025: The Miege board of trustees placed Baniewicz on administrative leave over concerns about his ability to oversee a safe environment. McKnight simultaneously announced a full investigation.
- June 17, 2025: Baniewicz was restricted from all active ministry in the Archdiocese and placed on a safety plan after a new allegation surfaced involving inappropriate behavior with a minor.
- Aug. 6, 2025: The Miege board determined new leadership was in the community’s best interest. Baniewicz’s employment ended.
- Aug. 13, 2026: McKnight signed the canonical decree barring Baniewicz from ministry involving minors or vulnerable adults
- Aug. 20, 2026: The Archdiocese publicly announced the decision.
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Inside the Investigation
The Archdiocese said an outside investigation firm, retained through independent legal counsel, led the probe.
According to the Church, the process included:
- 68 interviews
- Review and analysis of extensive records and reports
- Consultation with authorities across multiple jurisdictions
- Forensic interview support from the Child Protection Center, an independent Kansas City agency specializing in interviews with alleged abuse victims
The Archdiocese said it cooperated with local law enforcement and the Kansas Department for Children and Families throughout the process.
Investigators indicated that they examined 16 separate allegations against Baniewicz spanning 1985 to 2025, reviewing his work as:
- A youth minister in Mesa, Arizona: 1985-1993
- A senior officer for Life Teen, Inc: 1993 – 2006
- President of Maur Hill Mount Academy in Kansas: 2010 – 2023
- President of Bishop Miege High School: 2023 – 2025
Baniewicz was given multiple chances to respond, according to church leaders. He was interviewed and submitted a written statement.
Investigators said they also interviewed complainants – most of whom had no apparent connection to one another – and found what the Archdiocese described as “a substantial degree of consistency” in their accounts of his behavior.
What Investigators Found
The Archdiocese noted that the investigation revealed a consistent pattern of:
- Imprudent professional conduct
- Repeated failures to maintain appropriate ministerial and professional boundaries with minors
- Deficient safeguarding practices
- Conduct incompatible with the standards expected of those entrusted with ecclesiastical service involving children and vulnerable people
As of Friday, Aug. 20, no criminal charges have been filed against Baniewicz.
Church officials said the investigation did not meet the higher level of certainty required under Church law to open a canonical disciplinary process – a distinct, formal proceeding within Catholic Church law.
However, they said the findings showed a persistent, deeply concerning pattern of conduct significant enough to warrant administrative action.
What Happens Now
Citing his responsibility to safeguard the faithful, McKnight decreed that Baniewicz is unsuitable for any ecclesiastical employment, appointment, volunteer service or ministry involving minors or vulnerable persons within the Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas.
McKnight added that Baniewicz’s existing safety plan remains in place.
How to Report Misconduct
Anyone with information regarding misconduct by a church volunteer, employee, religious or clergy member – regardless of when it occurred – is encouraged to:
- Contact civil authorities first
- Then report it to the Archdiocese HERE.