Scully strongly denies accusation dating back 40 years
By JAMES BELL
Hays Post
Father Mike Scully, a longtime fixture of the Hays Catholic Church, has been accused of sexual abuse of a minor.
Provincial Minister Br. Mark Schenk announced the allegation in a newsletter last week.
“I need to make you aware that the Province of Mid-America recently received an allegation of sexual abuse of a minor against Father Michael Scully and Father Jordan Hammel (deceased),” the statement published in the March 20 St. Fidelis Church bulletin said. “In accord with provincial policies, we have notified law enforcement of the allegation and have relieved Father Michael of the public exercise of priestly ministry pending the outcome of an investigation into the matter.”
Scully, who denies the allegations, is a member of the Capuchin Franciscan order, under the Mid-America Province of St. Conrad, which serves Colorado, Kansas and Texas.
Upon being informed of the allegation from the Capuchin Franciscan order, the Archdiocese of Kansas City relieved Scully of his duties pending the outcome of the investigation.
In a statement from the archdiocese published March 25, the church noted the allegation stems from Scully’s work outside of the archdiocese.
Scully will remain on leave until the conclusion of the investigation and is fully cooperating, Schenk said.
He denied the allegation, dating back to the 1970s, in the same newsletter.
“I must also tell you that the acts of which I am accused did not occur, and I strongly deny the allegation I was accused of which allegedly happened over 40 years ago,” Scully said. “An allegation of this nature obviously is hurtful to me, especially since I have loved the ministry of being a priest and pastor.
“Also, most of my priestly life of 57 years has been spent working with, counseling and overseeing young people. I have authored books for young people and have produced radio shows on pop music and movies, and never once in this period has an accusation of this nature been brought forward against me.
“My prayer is with the accusing party and for peace and healing for all affected by this investigation,” he continued.
The SNAP network, a group that works to inform communities about institutional abuse, said in the Salina Diocese he worked at St. Joseph’s parish and headed Thomas More Prep-Marian High School, both in Hays. He most recently was serving in the Lawrence area.
That organization is calling on church officials Kansas City Kansas Archbishop Joseph Naumann, Salina Bishop Gerald L. Vincke, Denver-based Archbishop Samuel Aquila, Thomas More Prep-Marian High School principal Chad Meitner, alumni director Wanda Billinger and Schenk, to “use their considerable resources to aggressively seek out anyone who may have seen, suspected or suffered crimes or cover-ups by Fr. Scully or his supervisors or colleagues.”
The church has also called on anyone with information to come forward.
“The Province of Saint Conrad takes all allegations of misconduct by its friars very seriously and works diligently to ascertain the truth and to respond to survivors’ needs with compassion and respect,” Schenk said. “We encourage anyone with knowledge about this case or about any misconduct by any member of the province to contact civil authorities first, and then make a report to our Safe Environment Coordinator.”
Scully’s longtime weekly radio program, "Message at the Top," aired on KJLS, an Eagle Radio-owned station in Hays. Eagle is the parent company of Hays Post.