Fr. Thomas J. Ward

Ordained: 1962
Status: Settled

Died: 11/4/2012
Diocese: Diocese of Kansas City-St. Joseph MO

A 1994 civil suit alleged that Ward sexually abused a boy for 10 years, beginning when the boy was 14. Ward was suspended in 1993 or early 1994 for nine months, then reinstated. When he was reassigned in 1994, the bishop wrote to parishioners that Ward’s evaluation “gave no reason to believe that the allegations might be true.” The lawsuit settled in 1999 in for $20K. Ward retired in 1996; continued to be active part-time. Claims naming Ward were settled in 8/2008 as part of a $10M settlement involving 12 priests. He died 11/4/2012. His name was included on the Diocese’s list 9/5/2019, with multiple substantiated allegations noted.

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