Archdiocese Removes McKinley Park Pastor After Allegations of Inappropriate Contact With an Adult
Rev. Samson Mukundi was temporarily removed as pastor of Blessed Sacrament Parish after allegations of inappropriate physical contact and boundary violations with an adult, Cardinal Blase Cupich told parishioners in a letter dated Saturday. The allegations do not involve a minor, the letter said.
The Archdiocese of Chicago has removed a priest from a Southwest Side parish after he was accused of inappropriate physical contact and boundary violations with an adult. Rev. Samson Mukundi, who was serving as pastor of Blessed Sacrament Parish in McKinley Park, was temporarily removed from his post after the allegations came to light, Cardinal Blase Cupich wrote in a letter to the parish.
In the letter, dated Saturday, Cupich wrote that the allegations do not involve a minor, but that the concerns raised are serious and warrant careful attention and appropriate action. The archdiocese has temporarily withdrawn Mukundi from public ministry and ordered a period of evaluation to assess the concerns and determine next steps, and it invited anyone with relevant experiences to come forward to help the review. Mukundi could not immediately be reached for comment.
Letters were also sent to four other parishes where Mukundi has served: Jesus, Bread of Life Parish in Logan Square; St. Benedict the African Parish in Englewood; St. Gilbert Parish in far north suburban Grayslake; and St. John Neumann Parish in south suburban Homewood. Rev. Deogratias Mbonyumugenzi, pastor of St. Elizabeth of the Trinity, will temporarily serve as administrator of Blessed Sacrament Parish, Cupich wrote.
