Retired Priest Accused Of Sexually Abusing Minor At Former Our Lady Of Peace Parish

CHICAGO, IL—A former priest who served at has been accused of sexually abusing a minor at the former Our Lady of Peace Parish. Fr. Kenneth Fleck was pastor of the South Shore church from 1984 to 1996.

The abuse is alleged to have occurred more than 30 years ago at the South Shore parish. Cupich said the Archdiocese of Chicago has been notified that a lawsuit involving the alleged abuse is imminent.

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In addition, Cardinal Blase Cupich notified parishioners at five other South Side and south suburban churches where Fleck previously served.

Fleck, who is now retired, has strongly denied the sex abuse allegation. Cupich stated that the Archdiocese of Chicago's request to interview the person making the accusation has been denied, "yet as a matter of transparency we are making it known that a legal case will be filed in court."

Cupich did not elaborate in his letters whether the court case involving the Our Lady of Peace claim was a civil lawsuit or criminal charges.

The cardinal further stated that "out of an abundance of caution," he has asked Fleck to step aside from all ministry to parishes and live away from any parish so that the archdiocese can investigate the allegation. After this process is completed, the findings will be presented to the Independent Review Board for a recommendation.

"Only by conducting a thorough and impartial review, which includes having access to the person making the allegation, can we ensure fairness to all concerned," Cardinal Cupich said. "As a matter of policy, we have reported this allegation to law enforcement authorities."

Once investigators have access to the person making the allegation, the cardinal said the archdiocese will offer the services of its victim assistance ministry.

"I want to stress that the welfare of the children entrusted to our care is our paramount concern," Cardinal Cupich said.

Letters were sent to other parishes where Fleck served as a pastor, including St. Josephine Bakhita Parish (formerly Our Lady of Peace) and St. Bride Parish, where he was deacon from June to December 1975. Both parishes merged along with two other churches in 2020 to form St. Josephine Bakhita Parish.

Letters were also sent to St. Katherine Drexel Parish, formerly St. Felicitas, where Fleck was associate pastor from May 1984 to May 1987 and later as administrator from December 1979 to April 1981. St. Felicitas was one of three neighborhood churches to merge in 2018 to establish the current St. Katherine Drexel.

In addition, Christ Our Savior Parish in South Holland was notified of another church merger that included St. Jude the Apostle, where Fleck had been the associate pastor from July 2002 to April 2003.

St. Catherine of Alexandria Parish in Oak Lawn, too, received a letter, where Fleck had served as an administrator in 2022.

"The Archdiocese of Chicago takes all allegations of sexual misconduct seriously. We appreciate the courage it takes to step forward and encourage anyone who believes they have experienced abuse or inappropriate behavior by a member of the clergy, religious, or lay employee of the archdiocese to report it to the Office for the Protection of Children and Youth. They will be received with compassion and respect."

Complete information about reporting sexual abuse can be found on the Archdiocese of Chicago website.