Kansas Bishops react to disappointing pro-abortion vote

 

Kansas bishops react to Value Them Both Amendment’s failure to pass | Press Release

Press Releases

Aug 3, 2022

Kansas bishops react to Value Them Both Amendment’s failure to pass

We, the Catholic bishops of Kansas, join our people in expressing our disappointment that the Value Them Both Amendment did not pass. We are sorry to see that the most vulnerable human being in our society—the unborn child—will not be protected but further treated with indifference and injustice. Please be assured that we will continue our efforts to protect and support life. We fully believe that all life is sacred and valuable by God’s design, especially the unborn. Despite the outcome, the Church will continue to help mothers in crisis pregnancy situations. We will still promote ways in which a mother may say yes to life instead of choosing an abortion.

To those who voted “no” on the amendment, may we somehow work together in finding ways that support women’s rights but also the rights of the unborn. We also pray for those who have had abortions. The arms of the Church are always open so that those who are suffering may experience God’s mercy, compassion and healing by our words and actions.

We want to express our gratitude to the thousands of people who joined in voting “yes” for Value Them Both. Thank you for your courage, your generous support and hard work in promoting the Value Them Both Amendment.

There is much more to be accomplished in helping our society see the value and dignity of every human life from conception to natural death. We trust that God will bring good out of evil. In the end, the truth wins! No matter how deep the darkness is, no matter how long it reigns, no matter how much it grows, it cannot destroy the light. Too often, it can seem that evil is winning, but we know that the darkness will never defeat the light of Christ. We will continue to preach the truth with love and place all our trust in Jesus who gives us hope.“I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” John 8:12

Most Reverend Gerald L. Vincke
DIOCESE OF SALINA

Most Reverend Carl A. Kemme
DIOCESE OF WICHITA

Most Reverend JOSEPH F. NAUMANN
DIOCESE OF KANSAS CITY

Most Reverend JOHN B. BRUNGARDT
DIOCESE OF DODGE CITY

A Bishop is accused of alleged sexual abuse

 

Kansas Catholic bishop under investigation by KBI for alleged sexual abuse of a minor

BY JUDY L. THOMAS

FEBRUARY 08, 2021 03:27 PM, 

UPDATED FEBRUARY 08, 2021 04:03 PM

In this file photo, Bishop John B. Brungardt, of Dodge City, Kansas, read a prayer at the start of the Fall General

Kansas’ top law enforcement agency is investigating an allegation of sexual abuse of a minor against Roman Catholic Bishop John B. Brungardt of Dodge City, the Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas announced Monday.

“An investigation conducted by the Kansas Bureau of Investigation (KBI) is under way,” the archdiocese said in a statement published in The Leaven, its official newspaper. “Bishop Brungardt denies the allegation and is cooperating fully with the KBl.”

Brungardt, a former high school science teacher, has asked to step aside from his duties until the matter is resolved, the archdiocese said. That decision is supported by Archbishop Joseph F. Naumann of the Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas.

The Congregation for Bishops has appointed the Bishop of Salina, Gerald L. Vincke, as temporary apostolic administrator of the Diocese of Dodge City during the investigation.

Naumann has been asked by the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, or CDF, at the Vatican to conduct a canonical preliminary investigation into the matter, the archdiocese said. The CDF handles issues involving child sexual abuse.

“Archbishop Naumann will send the results of this preliminary investigation to the Congregation, along with his opinion about the initial findings, in the shortest time possible, taking into account that the State investigation is still ongoing,” the archdiocese said.

Brungardt, 62, was born in Salina and ordained to the priesthood in 1998. He served in the Diocese of Wichita for 12 years before going to the Diocese of Dodge City in late 2010.

Brungardt earned a bachelor’s degree in physics with a minor in mathematics in 1980 from Benedictine College; a master’s degree in physics in 1983 from Iowa State University; and a Ph.D. in curriculum and instruction in 1993 from Kansas State University, according to the Diocese of Dodge City.

He completed seminary at the Pontifical College Josephinum in Columbus, Ohio, in 1998 with a master’s of divinity and a master of arts in moral theology.

In October 2019, the Catholic Diocese of Dodge City released a list of 12 clerics or seminarians with substantiated allegations of abuse against minors. The Wichita diocese has named 15 clerics, the Salina diocese has named 28 priests or religious clergy and the Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas has seen at least 22 clergy credibly accused of abusing minors since allegations of priest abuse rocked the Catholic Church in recent years. Nationally, thousands of victims have come forward, sparking investigations across the country.

Monday’s announcement comes as the KBI enters its third year of an investigation into reports of sexual abuse in the four Catholic dioceses in Kansas and the Society of St. Pius X, a breakaway Catholic group known for its traditional Latin Mass, with a large branch in St. Marys in northeast Kansas.

Since the investigation began in November 2018, at least 120 cases have been opened as of August, according to the KBI.

To report abuse involving church personnel, the archdiocese said to contact law enforcement as well as its Confidential Report Line at 913-647-3051. Reports can also be made online at https://archkck.org/reportabuse/.

Allegations of misconduct against any bishop in the United States should be communicated to law enforcement, the archdiocese said. Allegations also can be reported to a confidential third ­party reporting system at 1-800-276-1562 or online at https://reportbishopabuse.org/.