Less than two weeks after the Catholic Archdiocese of Kansas City announced its list of clergy that had substantiated allegations of sexual abuse against minors, the Kansas Bureau of Investigation has announced its own investigation into reports of sex abuse by clergy across the state.
The KBI investigation follows Attorney General Derek Schmidt’s request to do so back in November and will look into allegations for the state’s dioceses headquartered in KC and Wichita, which cover the KVOE listening area. The dioceses headquartered in Dodge City and Salina will also be involved.
This will involve six special agents. Their inquiries will involve reports of abuse by clergy, church employees, church volunteers or any others in positions of authority.
Last month, the Kansas City archdiocese announced two late priests had served Lyon County parishes during their careers:
*Steven Lamping, served at St. Joseph Church in the 1940s and 1950s. The diocese says his estimated time frame of abuse was the 1950s, and there are multiple allegations of sex abuse against Lamping, who has since died.
*Lambert Dannenfelser served at St. Joseph and also at Emporia’s Sacred Heart Church from 1969 to 1974, although the archdiocese lists his alleged time of abuse as the 1980s.
At least one group called the archdiocese list inaccurate, saying there were at least six priests — including Father Anthony Kipalgat, a Kenyan who served at St. Patrick’s in Osage City and St. Patrick’s in Scranton and was accused of abusing at least one adult — who were not included. The archdiocese says the six priests in question were not diocesan priests but served different churches.
If you have been the victim of sexual abuse, or if you know of someone who has been victimized, the KBI encourages you to call 800-KS-CRIME or to email clergyabuse@kbi.ks.gov. The KBI wants all reports, even if they have been previously reported to other law enforcement agencies or the church.
