Chicago archdiocese informs 10 churches of abuse allegations against 2 retired priests

The Archdiocese of Chicago this month notified 10 Catholic communities that two retired priests who previously served there face allegations of sexually abusing minors decades ago, according to archdiocesan statements and local news reports. 

Cardinal Blase Cupich sent letters to parishes where Fathers Kenneth Fleck and Thomas Conde previously served after the archdiocese learned that lawsuits accusing each priest of abuse were being prepared. Both priests strongly deny the allegations, according to the letters.

In Father Fleck’s case, the archdiocese said it learned of a forthcoming lawsuit alleging that he sexually abused a minor more than 30 years ago at Our Lady of Peace Parish on Chicago’s south side. Father Fleck served as the parish’s pastor from 1984 to 1996. 

Cardinal Cupich sent letters to five Catholic communities where Father Fleck served between 1975 and 2023: St. Catherine of Alexandria in Oak Lawn, Christ Our Savior in South Holland, St. George in Tinley Park, St. Josephine Bakhita in Chicago’s South Shore, and St. Katharine Drexel in Chicago’s Calumet Heights. 

In the separate case involving Father Conde, the archdiocese notified five communities of a forthcoming lawsuit alleging that he abused a minor at St. James Parish in Sauk Village more than 20 years ago. 

Father Conde served as pastor of St. James from 1993 to 2003. The archdiocese also sent notifications to All Souls in Lansing, Christ the King in Chicago, St. Christina in Chicago, St. John of the Cross in Western Springs, and St. Joseph in Libertyville, where he previously served.

Cardinal Cupich said in the letters regarding the two cases that “out of an abundance of caution and in keeping with our child protection policies,” he has asked both priests to step aside from all ministry and live away from parishes until the archdiocese learns more about the allegations, investigates them, and completes the “usual process.” The letters stated that this process includes that the archdiocese will present both cases to its independent review board, which advises the cardinal on allegations involving clergy.

“I want to stress that the welfare of the children entrusted to our care is our paramount concern,” Cardinal Cupich wrote in the letters. “The Archdiocese of Chicago takes all allegations of sexual misconduct seriously.”

He added that, as a matter of policy, the archdiocese has reported all allegations to law enforcement. Once the archdiocese has access to the alleged victims, its Victim Assistance Ministry will offer them support services, according to the letters.

The letters also urged anyone with information about abuse to contact the archdiocese’s Office for the Protection of Children and Youth. The archdiocese says it cooperates with civil authorities and offers support services to victims.