Cardinal Blase Cupich has alerted parishioners at five Chicago-area churches that a retired priest, Father Kenneth Fleck, is under investigation after an allegation that he sexually abused a minor decades ago. Notices from the Archdiocese of Chicago say a civil lawsuit was expected to be filed and that Fleck has strongly denied the claim. Cupich asked Fleck to step away from all parish ministry and live away from any parish while the archdiocese reviews the allegation, a move that has rippled from the South Side into nearby suburbs from Oak Lawn to Tinley Park.
Letters to five parishes outlined the allegation
According to CBS Chicago, Cupich’s letters went this week to Saint Catherine of Alexandria in Oak Lawn, Christ Our Savior in South Holland, Saint George in Tinley Park, Saint Josephine Bakhita in South Shore and Saint Katherine Drexel in Calumet Heights. The letters said the Archdiocese Office for Child Sex Abuse Investigations and Review learned that a lawsuit was set to be filed, alleging abuse that occurred more than 30 years ago. The outlet reports that the archdiocese asked to interview the person making the allegation, but that request was denied, and the letters urged parishioners to pray for everyone involved.
How the archdiocese handles reports
The Archdiocese’s Office for Child Abuse Investigations and Review, known as CAIR, receives, reviews and investigates abuse reports, then refers cases to an independent review board that advises the Cardinal, according to the archdiocese’s protection pages (Office for Child Abuse Investigations and Review). CAIR’s published materials say the office cooperates with public authorities and encourages anyone reporting historical abuse to first contact the Illinois DCFS hotline or local police before reaching out to the archdiocese (Reporting Child Sexual Abuse). The same materials state that the archdiocese offers victim assistance and guidance during its inquiries.
Fleck’s history and his denial
CBS Chicago reports that Fleck has served at the parishes named in the recent letters as early as 1975 and as recently as 2022, including long stretches as pastor at Our Lady of Peace from 1984 to 1996 and at Saint George from 2003 to 2023. The letters state that the alleged abuse occurred at Our Lady of Peace. They also say Fleck has “strongly denied” ever sexually abusing anyone. According to the letters, the archdiocese will investigate and then bring the matter to the Independent Review Board, which will make a recommendation to Cardinal Cupich regarding Fleck’s ministerial status.
Legal implications and next steps
Because the letters indicated that a lawsuit was expected, civil claims could move ahead in court while the archdiocese carries out its internal review. The Illinois Attorney General has issued recommendations that stress clear reporting and cooperation with public authorities in clergy abuse cases, including filing complaints with DCFS or local law enforcement where appropriate (Illinois Attorney General recommendations). Inside the archdiocese, the process centers on CAIR’s investigation and the Independent Review Board’s advice to Cardinal Cupich on whether Fleck should remain in any form of ministry.
Parish context and reaction
Fleck is listed among clergy who have served Saint George on the parish website and in recent bulletins, a reminder of how long he has been a presence across multiple suburban and city parishes (Saint George Parish). Local parish leaders in such situations typically call for prayer and patience while the archdiocese conducts its review, and Cupich’s letters echoed that message, asking parishioners to pray as the process moves forward. For now, the archdiocese has directed Fleck to stay away from parish ministry until its investigation is complete.
The archdiocese has said it will continue to update affected parishes as CAIR’s investigation and the Independent Review Board’s review proceed. Anyone with information or concerns about past abuse is directed to contact both the archdiocese’s protection offices and civil authorities for reporting.
