2018 Kenneth Lewis Press Release

On May 21, the Diocese of Tulsa and Eastern Oklahoma (“Diocese”) was made aware of criminal charges filed in Evanston, Illinois, against Kenneth Lewis, who was arrested on May 9, 2018 and is currently free on bond. The charges stem from an allegation of sexual misconduct that took place in 2001 in Evanston, while Lewis was a priest of the Diocese of Tulsa.  

With a spirit of transparency, Bishop Slattery detailed his handling of Lewis for his alleged abuses against minors in an article in the Eastern Oklahoma Catholic entitled “Bishop: I apologize from the bottom of my heart” (Aug. 4, 2002). In the article, Bishop Slattery stated that the Diocese received a complaint against Fr. Lewis in 1994, which led to his removal from ministry and an investigation. The investigation revealed concerns about “over familiarity and a failure to recognize acceptable boundaries.” Fr. Lewis was “sent to a nationally recognized psychiatric treatment facility,” and, after undergoing treatment, was returned to ministry in 1995 with specified guidelines, including directives to not be alone with minors and the establishment of a team to monitor his compliance. 

In 2002, after attending the historic meeting of Catholic bishops in Dallas to address the sex abuse crisis in the Church, Bishop Slattery ordered an internal investigation according to canon law to reexamine the concerns that surfaced from the 1994 allegation and subsequent investigation. At that time, Fr. Lewis resigned from active ministry and was barred from engaging in any public ministry as a priest. In August of that year, Bishop Slattery released a comprehensive 12-page insert to the Eastern Oklahoma Catholic chronicling how decisions regarding Lewis were made, entitled “Seeking the Light: The Diocese responds to public allegations of the sexual abuse of minors by priests” (Aug. 18, 2002). These articles are available on the diocesan website, www.dioceseoftulsa.org, or by request. 

In 2004, while the internal proceedings that ultimately led to Fr. Lewis being dismissed from the priesthood were already underway, the Diocese was first made aware of the allegation of the 2001 sexual misconduct in Evanston. At that time, the internal investigation was stopped in deference to civil authorities. After the civil authorities in Illinois declined to file criminal charges against Lewis, the internal proceedings resumed, which resulted in Lewis being dismissed from the priesthood (laicized) in 2007. Lewis is no longer associated with the Diocese of Tulsa. 

The Diocese is committed to our children and to full cooperation with civil authorities. As Bishop David Konderla stated in his June 30, 2016 letter promulgating the new Policies & Procedures for the Protection of Children and Young People (“Policies”), “the Diocese of Tulsa continues to make every effort to ensure it employs the best practices in establishing a safe environment throughout the diocese.”  

Through structures of support and accountability, the Policies help establish a child-centered culture of safety and responsibility in every Catholic parish and school. Our efforts in child and youth protection include comprehensive safe environment training for all employees and volunteers, detailed and transparent procedures on addressing allegations, and a code of ethics that articulates clear moral standards for all who work with children. The Policies are available in English and Spanish and are posted on the diocesan website.  

In addition, the Diocese employs a full-time Director of Child & Youth Protection who, through a series of support visits and ongoing assistance, helps ensure our parishes and schools are providing the safest environment for the children under our care. 

If you have further questions, please contact Mr. Dave Crenshaw, Director of Communications of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Tulsa & Eastern Oklahoma at 918-307-4920 and dcrenshaw@dioceseoftulsa.org. 

End of Press Release

To view or download the press release and the accompanying support documents, click HERE.