Former Pastor At Tinley Park's St. George Accused Of Sexually Abusing Minor

TINLEY PARK, IL — A former pastor at St. George in Tinley Park is being accused of sexually abusing a minor during his time at another parish, the Archdiocese of Chicago said.

Fr. Ken Flack, who served as pastor from May 2003 to June 2020, is accused of the abuse alleged to have occurred more than 30 years ago at Our Lady of Peace Parish in Chicago’s South Shore neighborhood.

Cardinal Blase Cupich notified parishioners at five South Side and south suburban churches where Fleck previously served. Cupich said the Archdiocese of Chicago has been notified that a lawsuit involving the alleged abuse is imminent.

The Archdiocese's request to interview the accuser regarding the exact nature of the claim was denied, Cupich said.

Fleck, who is now retired, has "strongly denied that he has ever sexually abused anyone."

Cupich said that "out of an abundance of caution," Fleck has been asked to step aside from all ministry and live away from any parish while the archdiocese investigates the allegation. After the process is completed, the findings will be presented to the Independent Review Board for a recommendation, Cupich said.

“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,” Cupich said.

Fr. Paul Seamon, current pastor at St. George, shared the letter on the parish's social media. He went on to address the allegations.

"I do not have any additional facts about this situation other than what the letter says," Seaman's statement reads. "But the Cardinal has publicly said that there are hedge funds that are fronting money for law firms to seek out clients, particularly targeting Catholic priests. They front the money, then get a cut if a case is won, or more likely, settled.

"This is the cloud that every priest lives under today, and unfortunately, our friend, Father Ken, is the latest. Note that the accuser has not come forward to the Archdiocese but is going right to the civil courts. More importantly, Father Ken is clear about his innocence.

"For too long, the church hid guilty parties. Now, in an effort to assure our parishioners, and protect real victims of abuse, Archdiocesan processes are very strict, and good priests like Father Ken are sometimes asked to step aside. Please pray for all true victims of abuse and pray for Father Ken that this will be resolved quickly and he can return to the ministry he has so loved for fifty years."

A letter was also sent to St. Catherine of Alexandria in Oak Lawn, where Fleck was an administrator in 2022, as well as 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.

The letter also went to Christ Our Savior Parish in South Holland, another church merger that included St. Jude the Apostle, where Fleck had been the associate pastor from July 2002 to April 2003.

“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.