Phil Baniewicz is out as president of Bishop Miege High School in Roeland Park, according to a statement from the local archdiocese.
The Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas posted a statement to its website this week saying Baniewicz’s last day at the school was Wednesday, Aug. 6, following a decision by Bishop Miege’s board of trustees.
“The board determined it is in the best interest of the BMHS community to move forward toward new leadership,” the archdiocese wrote in a statement online. “Because this is a confidential personnel matter, no further information will be provided.”
The process for selecting a new president will start soon, the archdiocese said. In the meantime, interim president Joseph Schramp will continue in that role as the new school year is set to begin next week.
”We are grateful for the prayers and support of our families and benefactors. Please continue to pray with us for all impacted by this situation,” Holly Bentley, chair of the board of trustees, is quoted in the archdiocese’s statement. “As we move forward, we’re committed to strengthening Bishop Miege High School by reviewing our practices and continuing to ensure a safe environment for our students. ”
Baniewicz was put on leave in June
The move to fire Baniewicz comes more than two months after he was put on administrative leave, effective June 5.
At the time, the archdiocese said the decision was due to “recent reports concerning his ability to oversee a safe environment for BMHS.”
Nearly two weeks later, the archdiocese announced Baniewicz would be “restricted from all active ministry,” including being barred from doing any youth ministry or volunteering at any church school or institution.
The diocese said the choice to restrict Baniewicz’s activities in the church followed “an allegation of inappropriate behavior with a minor” that had previously gone unreported.
At that time, Baniewicz also signed a safety plan in which he agreed to not contact “anyone known to have made an accusation of abuse or misconduct against him, or who may be a witness known to him,” the archdiocese announced.
In 2005, Baniewicz was named in a civil sexual abuse lawsuit in Arizona, along with two priests involved with a Catholic youth program. That case was settled out of court for $100,000.
Later, Baniewicz served nearly 15 years as president of Maur Hill-Mount Academy in Atchison, Kansas, according to his LinkedIn profile.
Independent investigation is ongoing
At the time Baniewicz’s activities in the church were restricted earlier this summer, newly installed Archbishop Shawn McKnight said the move was being done “in the interest of promoting the common good, protecting the vulnerable, and pursuing the truth of the matters being investigated.”
An “independent, professional firm” has been hired to conduct an investigation into the matter, the archdiocese says.
An archdiocesan spokesperson confirmed that investigation remains ongoing even after Baniewicz’s firing this week.
The archdiocese says those who wish to report abuse should first contact civil authorities by calling the Kansas Protection Report Center at 1-800-922-5330.
The archdiocese also has an Office for Protection and Care, meant to field inquiries and concerns about suspected abuse and work with survivors and victims of abuse. Anyone wanted to contact that office is urged to call or text the office’s hotline at 913-276-8703 or visit archkck.org/reportabuse.
Families pushed back when Baniewicz was hired
In a letter to families around the time of his hiring in the summer of 2023, Baniewicz said that he had previously faced “false allegations” and had to “endure persecution.”
Responding to calls for Baniewicz’s resignation after his appointment, the school said it conducted an in-depth vetting process for his hiring, including a criminal background check and interviews with work and personal references.
After he was appointed, an online petition began urging Bishop Miege to dismiss Baniewicz. It has since gained nearly 900 signatures.
“It is deeply concerning that Bishop Miege would choose to employ someone with such serious allegations surrounding them,” the petition said.
“The cost of abuse is immeasurable; it leaves scars that last a lifetime. We cannot allow our children’s safety to be compromised by those entrusted with their care. It’s time for our community to demand better protection for our children.”
