KANSAS CITY, KANSAS — The Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas is announcing that an allegation of sexual abuse of a minor against former teacher James Zimmer has been substantiated following an independent review process.
Mr. Zimmer was an employee at Bishop Miege High School from 1969 to 1984, during which time an allegation was reported to have occurred. The allegation was determined to be credible and substantiated by Archbishop Shawn McKnight following a review by the Independent Review Board. Mr. Zimmer was also an employee at Rockhurst High School from 1987 to 1993. Mr. Zimmer died on June 1, 2000. While no allegations of misconduct or abuse have been received originating from his time of employment at Rockhurst, Rockhurst collaborated with the investigation conducted by the Office of Prevention and Care for the Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas.
We are grateful for the courage of those who reported their abuse and participated in the investigation. In cases where the accused is deceased, the effects of trauma can remain with victims and survivors for many years. The Archdiocese acknowledges such trauma and encourages anyone who may have been harmed by Mr. Zimmer or who has information related to this matter to come forward.
We are committed to listening to survivors, responding to misconduct with transparency and accountability, and fostering healing. Anyone who has experienced abuse by a representative of the Church is encouraged to call or text the Archdiocese’s Victim Care Advocate at (913) 298-9244.
The Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas takes all allegations of misconduct by church personnel very seriously. We encourage anyone with knowledge about any misconduct by a church volunteer, employee, religious or clergy member — regardless of when the misconduct may have occurred — to contact civil authorities first, and then make a report to our confidential report line at (913) 276-8703 or online at www.archkck.org/reportabuse.