By Leonardo Blair, Senior Reporter Tuesday, April 14, 2026

Father Kenneth Anderson, who led the St. John Henry Newman Parish in Evanston, Illinois, has resigned after an investigation found he misappropriated church funds for personal expenses.

The announcement of Anderson’s resignation came last Friday in a letter from the Archbishop of Chicago, Cardinal Blase J. Cupich. The archbishop, who previously revealed on March 30 that Anderson had been placed on administrative leave while a review of parish finances was conducted, said Anderson misappropriated “substantial parish funds.”

“That review has revealed that Father Anderson violated a number of core archdiocesan policies pertaining to the proper exercise of good stewardship of parish resources. These violations included the creation and maintenance of a separate bank account into which he deposited substantial parish funds,” Cupich wrote in his letter. “Some of these monies were used to cover costs unrelated to parish needs, including his personal expenses.”

The archbishop said that when Anderson was presented with the findings, he chose to resign and committed to refunding the money used for his personal expenses.

“[H]e accepted my instruction that, when the full accounting is complete, he is to make restitution for any funds clearly identified as covering his personal expenses,” Cupich told parishioners in the letter.

“[W]e take seriously our duty to steward the resources you provide and uphold best practices in their management. Your trust means a great deal to me, and I appreciate the patience you have shown as we conducted the review,” he added. “We will take steps with the parish leadership to remedy any deficiencies or lack of controls. You continue to be in my prayers, and I ask for yours.”

Kelly Foyle, principal of St. Athanasius, the Catholic school associated with St. Athanasius Parish, which became part of St. John Henry Newman following a 2022 parish consolidation, addressed Anderson’s resignation in an email to school families and community members on Sunday, the Chicago Tribune reported.

“We recognize this news may bring a range of emotions. These feelings are valid, and we hold them together as a faith community,” Foyle said. “Please know we will continue to keep you apprised of updates as we learn them. Let us continue to hold one another and our St. John Henry Newman Parish community in prayer.”

Retired Pastor Gerald Gunderson is expected to temporarily oversee the parish until a new pastor recommended by the archdiocese’s placement board takes over permanently by July 1, according to Cupich.

Since the announcement of Anderson’s actions and subsequent resignation, some parishioners have praised the internal investigation.

While he was “shocked” by the charges against Anderson, longtime St. Athanasius member Paul Tolson said the investigation by the archdiocese was “excellent,” and “reflects accountability,” the Evanston Roundtable reported.

Other parishioners, like Joel Dykstra, said the police should have been called in since the misconduct involved theft, but Catholics like Beverly Hand of St. Joan of Arc Church told the publication that Anderson needs prayers.

“As a Catholic, I believe we’re all sinners, and we all fall down and should have a chance to get up,” she said. “What Father Anderson really needs right now are our prayers.”

News Source : https://www.christianpost.com/news/catholic-church-leader-resigns-over-financial-misconduct.html