by Moira Cullings
moira.cullings@theleaven.org
KANSAS CITY, Kan. — The past 16 years have prepared Kevin Cronister well to take on a brand-new position at the Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas: the director of ministerial standards.
“The most attractive thing to me about this role is the ability to work in a place where everything you do is infused with our Catholic faith,” said Cronister.
He comes to the archdiocese with extensive experience as a law enforcement officer specializing in investigations related to the sexual exploitation of children and internet-facilitated financial fraud and scams.
Cronister started the position on April 20.
“I think this will be the most fulfilling and rewarding job that I’ve had,” he said, “because it gives me the opportunity to continue with the type of work I’m passionate about.
“And it also allows me, at the same time, to function within the church and to feel like I have the opportunity to improve the archdiocese’s ability to serve its members.”
Best practices
The office of ministerial standards (OMS) was created as part of the chancery restructuring taking place under Archbishop Shawn McKnight.
“The overall vision for the office of ministerial standards is that it will essentially be the investigative arm of the archdiocese,” said Cronister, whose office will also include an investigator.
Father Mike Hawken, vicar general and moderator of the curia, said Cronister’s role was created from a best- practice model.
“The director of ministerial standards safeguards the integrity of the church’s ministry by ensuring that all allegations of misconduct are received, assessed and investigated with professionalism, objectivity and in compliance with civil and ecclesiastical law,” he said.
The OMS functions under the chancellor and promoter of justice — currently Father Anthony Saiki — whose expertise in canon law goes hand-in-hand with this area of work, said Father Hawken.
“[T]he promoter of justice ensures that the church responds to allegations,” said Father Saiki, “and that canonical rights of everyone are observed and protected.”
“The director of ministerial standards is tasked with the physical investigation of allegations and coordinating our response and efforts by drawing together the appropriate expertise, cooperating with law enforcement and ensuring that our efforts and investigations are done in an objective manner that seeks the truth as we respond to reports,” he said.
The OMS receives complaints, coordinates investigations, evaluates allegations and ensures that concerns involving clergy, employees, volunteers and ministries are addressed, said Father Saiki.
“The investigator position will support those efforts by gathering facts and conducting investigations in a professional, objective, and timely manner,” he added.
Segregation of duties
The OMS functions separately from the office for protection and care, which has been renamed the office for prevention and care (OPC).
The new name emphasizes “a proactive approach addressing concerns early and preventing harm whenever possible,” said Father Hawken.
Previously, the investigator role operated within the OPC.
“The separation will allow the OPC to focus more particularly on abuse prevention, compliance and the care of people who have been harmed by an agent of the church,” said OPC director Jenifer Valenti.
“Our team is excited to design and implement [best practices] specifically targeted to safeguard the vulnerable members of our community,” she continued, “and to provide more attentive support to the difficult job being done by our ambassadors in our parishes and schools.
“We also hope to expand the opportunities for restorative practices and other measures of atonement with the survivors we accompany.”
The archdiocese’s independent review board (IRB) will continue operating as a consultative body for Archbishop McKnight.
“In matters involving allegations of sexual abuse of minors or other cases that fall within its competence, the independent review board reviews information gathered during investigations and provides recommendations to the archbishop,” said Father Saiki.
Meaningful opportunity
The opportunity to contribute his skills to the local church is gratifying for Cronister.
“I think ultimately in my role as a detective working child crimes, I always turned to my faith to overcome some of the more severe and traumatic cases that I investigated,” he said.
“I was always infusing what I did with my faith anyway,” he continued. “And so this is the perfect blend of that.”
Father Hawken and Father Saiki are grateful Cronister is lending his expertise to the new position.
“This work requires sound judgment, integrity, discretion and a deep commitment to both justice and the mission of the church,” said Father Saiki.
“Kevin brings tremendous experience and a genuine desire to serve the people of the archdiocese,” he added.
Cronister looks forward to making an impact on the archdiocesan mission through the OMS.
“I feel blessed that I have the opportunity to build the office,” he said, “because that gives me the opportunity to put my stamp on it forever.
“If I have the chance to help develop the policies and the procedures and the investigative frameworks, then I know that from here — hopefully forever — the office will be built in a way that’s sustainable.”
More about the director
Kevin Cronister was born in Wichita and spent most of his life in Topeka. He and his wife Angela have five children.
He studied criminology at Benedictine College in Atchison for two years before transferring to Washburn University in Topeka, where he received his bachelor’s degree in criminal justice.
After graduating in 2010, he worked at the Johnson County Sheriff’s Office. During that time, he earned his master’s in forensic psychology, specifically studying victimology.
He worked as a law enforcement officer for 16 years, specializing in investigations related to the sexual exploitation of children and internet-facilitated financial fraud and scams.
For the past eight years, he was a lead Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) task force detective.
He’s also served as a SWAT team leader, full-time training officer and was a member of the Officer-Involved Critical Incident Investigation Team (OICIIT) and the Kansas City Metro Major Case Squad.
Cronister was eligible for retirement and ready to transition out of law enforcement when he applied for and accepted the director of ministerial standards position.
