Chicago Archdiocese clears retired priest of abuse allegation, approves return to ministry

Cardinal Cupich accepts review board's recommendation after investigation finds no reasonable cause

By LineZotpaper AI staff

Published25 October 2026

Read Time2 min

The Archdiocese of Chicago has cleared retired priest Rev. Kenneth Fleck of an allegation of sexual abuse of a minor and approved his return to ministry, following an investigation by the church's independent review board.

In a letter distributed Saturday to six parish communities, Cardinal Blase Cupich said he had accepted the review board's recommendation to close the case against Fleck. The archdiocese received the allegation in July, more than 30 years after the alleged abuse occurred. Fleck served as pastor of Our Lady of Peace from May 1984 to August 1996, the period during which the abuse was alleged to have taken place.

Three months ago, Cupich asked Fleck to step away from ministry while civil authorities and the archdiocese's Independent Review Board investigated. The archdiocese also said it had been informed that a lawsuit alleging sexual abuse of a minor would be filed.

Fleck strongly denied the allegation and cooperated with the investigation, according to Cupich's letter. The cardinal described Fleck as a priest in good standing and expressed appreciation for his years of service.

"It is important to stress that the welfare of the children entrusted to our care is of paramount importance," Cupich wrote. "For this reason, we take all allegations of sexual misconduct seriously. At the same time, we must restore the good name of anyone so accused when the allegations are found to be unsubstantiated."

Fleck also served at St. Barnabas, St. Josephine Bakhita and St. Katherine Drexel in Chicago, as well as St. Catherine of Alexandria in Oak Lawn, Christ Our Savior in South Holland and St. George in Tinley Park. The archdiocese encouraged anyone who has experienced sexual abuse by a priest, deacon, religious or lay employee to come forward.

Analysis

Why This Matters

The case highlights the church's process for investigating abuse allegations from decades ago, including the role of independent review boards.
The outcome may affect trust among parishioners and the person who made the allegation.
It demonstrates the church's stated commitment to both taking allegations seriously and restoring the reputation of the accused when claims are found unsubstantiated.

Background

The Catholic Church has faced numerous sexual abuse scandals, leading to the establishment of review boards in many dioceses to examine allegations and recommend actions to bishops. The Chicago Archdiocese's Independent Review Board investigates claims and advises Cardinal Cupich.

Key Perspectives

Rev. Kenneth Fleck: strongly denied the allegation and cooperated with the investigation.
Cardinal Blase Cupich (Archdiocese): said the review board found no reasonable cause to believe abuse occurred, and that the church must restore the good name of the accused when allegations are found unsubstantiated.

What to Watch

A lawsuit alleging sexual abuse of a minor that the archdiocese said would be filed.
Any further allegations or public response from the accuser or their representatives.

Sources

Chicago Archdiocese clears retired priest accused of sexual abuse, approves return to ministry · Chicago Sun-Times

Checked

10 claims in this story checked against 1 source: 9 supported.

Show each claim

SupportedThe Chicago Archdiocese cleared retired priest Kenneth Fleck of an abuse allegation and approved his return to ministry.Chicago Sun-Times: “Chicago Archdiocese clears retired priest accused of sexual abuse, approves return to ministry. The Archdiocese of Chicago is allowing a retired priest to return to ministry after the church's independent review board found no reasonable cause to believe he had abused a minor decades ago.”
Partly supportedCupich accepted the review board’s recommendation after the board found no reasonable cause to believe Fleck had abused a minor.Chicago Sun-Times: “The Archdiocese of Chicago is allowing a retired priest to return to ministry after the church's independent review board found no reasonable cause to believe he had abused a minor decades ago. In a letter distributed Saturday to six parish communities, Cardinal Blase Cupich said he had accepted the review board’s recommendation to close the case”
SupportedCupich’s letter was distributed Saturday to six parish communities.Chicago Sun-Times: “In a letter distributed Saturday to six parish communities, Cardinal Blase Cupich said he had accepted the review board’s recommendation”
SupportedThe archdiocese received the allegation in July, more than 30 years after the alleged abuse occurred.Chicago Sun-Times: “The archdiocese received the allegation in July, more than 30 years after the alleged abuse occurred.”
SupportedFleck was pastor of Our Lady of Peace from May 1984 to August 1996, when the abuse was alleged to have occurred.Chicago Sun-Times: “Fleck served as pastor of Our Lady of Peace from May 1984 to August 1996, during which the abuse was alleged to have occurred.”
SupportedThree months before the letter, Cupich asked Fleck to step away from ministry while civil authorities and the archdiocese’s Independent Review Board investigated the allegation.Chicago Sun-Times: “Three months ago, Cupich asked the priest to step away from ministry while civil authorities and the archdiocese’s Independent Review Board investigated the allegation.”
SupportedThe archdiocese said it had been informed that a lawsuit alleging sexual abuse of a minor would be filed.Chicago Sun-Times: “The archdiocese also said it had been informed a lawsuit alleging sexual abuse of a minor would be filed.”
SupportedAccording to Cupich’s letter, Fleck strongly denied the allegation and cooperated with the investigation.Chicago Sun-Times: “Fleck strongly denied the allegation and cooperated with the investigation, according to Cupich’s letter.”
SupportedCupich described Fleck as a priest in good standing and expressed appreciation for his years of service.Chicago Sun-Times: “He said Fleck is a priest in good standing and expressed appreciation for his years of service to the archdiocese.”
SupportedCupich wrote: “It is important to stress that the welfare of the children entrusted to our care is of paramount importance,” and, “For this reason, we take all allegations of sexual misconduct seriously. At the same time, we must restore the good name of anyone so accused when the allegations are found to be unsubstantiated.”Chicago Sun-Times: “"It is important to stress that the welfare of the children entrusted to our care is of paramount importance," Cupich wrote. "For this reason, we take all allegations of sexual misconduct seriously. At the same time, we must restore the good name of anyone so accused when the allegations are found to be unsubstantiated."”