KANSAS CITY (MO)
Kansas City Star [Kansas City MO]
July 31, 2026
By Judy L. Thomas
The Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas is investigating what it calls a credible allegation of sexual abuse of a minor involving a priest who served in numerous Kansas parishes and died more than 30 years ago.
The investigation involving the Rev. Denis Pickert stems from a recent allegation, according to an announcement posted in The Leaven, the archdiocese’s newspaper, this week. Pickert died in 1994 at age 69.
“Based on several factors, Archbishop Shawn McKnight deems the newly reported allegation to have credibility, but in order to facilitate a complete and fair investigation, the Archdiocese seeks information from those who might have knowledge about this situation,” the announcement said.
“A thorough investigation of these allegations is ongoing and should not be understood as a determination of guilt. Archbishop McKnight would like to encourage anyone who may have been harmed by Fr. Pickert to come forward.”
The announcement was made, the archdiocese said, “with deep sorrow for the suffering of victims and survivors of abuse.”
Pickert served in several parishes in the archdiocese, the announcement said. Among them: St. Joseph Parish (now All Saints Parish); The Cathedral of St. Peter; and Christ the King Parish, all in Kansas City, Kansas.
Picket also served at Sacred Heart-St. Joseph Parish in Topeka (formerly St. Joseph Parish); St. Joseph Parish in Everest (now St. Ann Parish in Hiawatha and St. Leo’s Parish in Horton); St. Peter’s Parish in Mercier (now St. Leo’s in Horton); Holy Family and St. Bridget Parishes in Summerfield (now Holy Family Parish in Summerfield); St. Michael Parish in Axtell; Holy Angels in Garnett; Holy Trinity Parish in Paola; and St. John the Baptist Parish in Greeley.
A string of allegations
The case is among several involving allegations of sexual abuse or misconduct that the archdiocese has been dealing with in recent months and the third in July alone.
On July 13, the archdiocese announced it had temporarily pulled the Rev. Eric Flood from public ministry while an investigation was underway into an allegation of misconduct with a minor more than 20 years ago.
Flood, who is with the Priestly Fraternity of St. Peter, had been chaplain of the St. John Vianney Latin Mass Community in Maple Hill, which is about 20 miles west of Topeka.
The St. John Vianney Latin Mass Community and its ministry are under the jurisdiction of the Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas and administered by the Priestly Fraternity of St. Peter. FSSP priests serve around the world and celebrate the Traditional Latin Mass and Sacraments.
The archdiocese said Flood “is cooperating fully with the investigation and adamantly denies the accusation.”
On July 2, the archdiocese announced it had substantiated an allegation of sexual abuse of a minor against a former teacher who worked at two area high schools.
McKnight determined the allegation against James Zimmer to be credible following an investigation by the Independent Review Board, the archdiocese said in a statement posted on its website.
Zimmer taught at Bishop Miege Catholic High School in Roeland Park from 1969 to 1984, the archdiocese said. The allegation was reported to have occurred during that time. Zimmer also taught at Rockhurst High School in Kansas City from 1987 to 1993, according to the announcement. He died on June 1, 2000.
The archdiocese also continues to investigate former Bishop Miege President Phil Baniewicz, who was ousted in August 2025 after allegations surfaced about inappropriate behavior with a minor.
And the archdiocese is in the midst of a criminal case involving a former Leawood priest.
The Rev. Richard Storey, who resigned last September as pastor of Curé of Ars Catholic Church in Leawood amid an investigation into a separate issue, was charged in Johnson County District Court on May 13 with felony theft.
The total suspected unauthorized spending by Storey was $159,326.92, according to court documents. The alleged theft included $77,000 for cruises, a nearly $24,000 “casino cash withdraw” and $27,000 for travel to several international destinations.
The theft is alleged to have occurred between Jan. 1, 2021, and Dec. 31, 2025. Storey pleaded not guilty on June 2 and is out on $25,000 bond. A preliminary hearing in his case is scheduled for Aug. 18.
The archdiocese urged anyone with knowledge of any misconduct by a church volunteer, staff or clergy member, regardless of when the incident occurred, to first contact civil authorities, then call or text the archdiocese’s confidential report line at 913-276-8703 or online at www.archkck.org/reportabuse.