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ROELAND PARK, Kansas (KMBC) — The former president of Bishop Miege High School, who has been at the center of an investigation for more than a year, has been deemed “unsuitable for ecclesiastical employment” by the Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas.
Following an independent investigation, Archbishop Shawn McKnight announced Thursday that Phil Baniewicz, the former leader of the Catholic high school, is not suitable for ecclesiastical employment, appointment, volunteer service or ministry involving minors within the Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas.
“The protection of minors and persons in vulnerable situations is fundamental to the mission of our church,” McKnight said in a news release. “As believers and followers of Jesus Christ, we have a sacred responsibility to safeguard the innate human dignity of every person and to hold one another, especially those who exercise authority and power in the Church, to the high moral standards of our faith.”
Baniewicz was placed on administrative leave from his role at Bishop Miege in June 2025 and officially let go a few months later.
He was restricted from all ministry shortly after being placed on administrative leave due to allegations of inappropriate behavior with a minor, the archdiocese said at the time.
The archdiocese conducted an independent investigation into Baniewicz’s conduct, examining 16 allegations spanning from 1985 to 2025. Over the course of those decades, he worked as a youth minister in Arizona, a senior officer of Life Teen, president of Maur Hill Mount Academy and president of Bishop Miege.
During the investigation, 68 people were interviewed, reports were analyzed and authorities were consulted. Most of the people interviewed were not evidently connected but had “a substantial consistency” in their accounts of Baniewicz’s conduct.
“The investigation disclosed serious concerns regarding Mr. Baniewicz’s conduct and determined a consistent pattern of imprudent professional conduct, repeated failures to maintain appropriate ministerial and professional boundaries with minors, deficient safeguarding practices and conduct incompatible with the standards expected of those entrusted with ecclesiastical service involving children and vulnerable people,” the news release said.
Because of that pattern, the archdiocese decided action needed to be taken, leading to the ministerial restrictions imposed upon him.
Baniewicz was interviewed and submitted a written statement during the investigation, the archdiocese said. What he said or wrote was not disclosed.
The archdiocese said Baniewicz’s current safety plan will remain in place, which in June 2025 was described as his agreement not to contact anyone “known to have made an accusation of abuse or misconduct against him, or who may be a witness known to him.”
No criminal charges have been filed.
The archdiocese advises anyone who would like to report misconduct involving a church volunteer, employee, or religious or clergy member to first contact authorities and then call or text the archdiocese’s confidential line at 913-276-8703 or report it online.
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