Richard Storey, 55, previously served as the pastor of the Curé of Ars Church in Leawood, Johnson County, Kansas, United States. On May 29, 2004, he was ordained and immediately assigned as pastor to three parishes in Osage County, Kansas.
Richard Storey
A significant development has unfolded within the Archdiocese of Kansas City, Kansas as Storey has surrendered to law enforcement amidst serious allegations of financial misconduct. On May 23, 2026, he turned himself in to the Leawood Police Department. He is currently facing a felony theft charge related to the alleged misappropriation of $160,000 in parish funds.
Following Storey’s surrender he was processed and placed in Johnson County custody on a $25,000 bond. While he is scheduled for a court appearance at 1:30 p.m. on May 26, 2026, officials noted that formal charges have not yet been filed. The Archdiocese has emphasized that it is cooperating fully with the Leawood Police Department and intends to respect the ongoing investigative process.
Discovery of financial irregularities
The financial investigation was triggered by a routine administrative protocol. When a change in pastoral leadership occurs, the Archdiocese conducts a standard internal financial review. While Curé of Ars had undergone an audit in 2022—part of the Archdiocese’s regular practice of reviewing parishes every three to four years—the recent transition prompted a new examination.
During this review, officials uncovered information that necessitated a referral to law enforcement. The findings were subsequently turned over to the Leawood Police Department, which maintains jurisdiction over the parish office. In response to the financial losses, the Archdiocese indicated that the parish intends to file an insurance claim to recover the funds. To prevent future issues, Chancery officials have met with current parish staff to ensure that robust financial protocols are firmly in place.
Context of previous allegations
This recent theft charge is separate from another ongoing legal matter involving Storey. In September 2025, the Archdiocese was notified by the Prairie Village Police Department of a distinct criminal investigation involving him and another adult. According to police reports, that investigation stemmed from an incident allegedly occurring between March 2022 and November 10, 2022.
Upon being notified of that investigation in September 2025, Storey chose to resign from his position as pastor of Curé of Ars. At that time, he was temporarily suspended from all public ministry, including the celebration of Mass and other pastoral duties. John Riley, the vicar general of the archdiocese, was appointed to serve as the temporary administrator of the parish.
Archdiocesan leadership has reiterated that they will not release further details until both the civil criminal proceedings and the internal canonical processes have concluded. Emphasizing the gravity of the situation, the Archdiocese noted that while the allegations are serious, Storey is entitled to the presumption of innocence until proven guilty through the legal or canonical systems.
CONAN Daily 