Following an investigation into the alleged mishandling of parish finances, the Rev. Kenneth J. Anderson of St. John Henry Newman Parish in Evanston, has resigned from his position as pastor, after the Archdiocese of Chicago determined he had misappropriated funds for his personal expenses.
Cardinal Blase J. Cupich wrote to parish community members on April 10 with an update regarding the ongoing inquiry into the fiscal administration of the parish.
“On March 30 of this year, I informed you that serious questions had been raised about the fiscal administration of your parish and that we would undertake a review of parish finances,” Cupich wrote to parishioners.
“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.”
In his letter, Cupich wrote that Anderson’s violations included the “creation and maintenance of a separate bank account into which he deposited substantial parish funds,” some of which were used to “cover costs unrelated to parish needs including his personal expenses.”
Cupich said that after this information was shared with Anderson, Anderson decided to resign from his position as pastor, and when “full accounting is complete,” has agreed to make full restitution to the parish for any funds he used to cover personal expenses.
Anderson has been away from his financial administrative duties since last month, after “serious concerns” were initially brought to the attention of the Archdiocese of Chicago surrounding the handling of internal finances.
Anderson did not immediately respond to a Pioneer Press request for comment.
“As I noted in my earlier letter to you, we take seriously our duty to steward the resources you provide and uphold best practices in their management,” Cupich wrote. “We will take steps with the parish leadership to remedy any deficiencies or lack of controls.”
Following Anderson’s resignation, Bishop Timothy O’Malley, episcopal vicar, plans to visit with the finance and pastoral councils of the parish to address questions regarding the investigation and “determine the best steps forward to rebuild the trust of parishioners,” Cupich wrote.
While Cupich originally assigned the Rev. Wayne Watts of Saints Joseph and Francis Xavier Parish in Wilmette to oversee the administration of finances while the investigation continued, Cupich said he has now asked the Rev. Gerald Gunderson, a retired pastor in the community, to serve as administrator until a new pastor is officially appointed.
According to his April 10 letter, Cupich said he has requested that the parish’s placement board appoint a new pastor to lead the church by July 1.
Representatives from St. John Henry Newman did not immediately respond to a Pioneer Press request for comment on Anderson’s resignation or next steps for the parish.
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 sent out to school families and community members on Sunday.
“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.”
Foyle said she planned to meet with the Rev. Gunderson on Monday and also plans to speak with the parish finance committee and parish pastoral council later in the week to make a future administrative plan.
Originally founded in the early 1900s, St. Athanasius School is home to over 300 students, as of May 2025, the parish reports.
The Archdiocese of Chicago’s Renew My Church Program, an effort to consolidate Catholic parishes across the city to ensure long-term fiscal viability, led to the merger of St. Athanasius Parish in Evanston with St. Joan of Arc in the Evanston-Skokie area in 2022.
St. John Henry Newman became the official new designation for the consolidation of the two parishes.
The Academy of St. Joan of Arc, formerly St. Joan of Arc’s attached school, is no longer affiliated with the parish and now operates as an independent Catholic school with its own governing board, spurred by a prior risk of closure that led to its formal separation from the Archdiocese of Chicago.
Anderson’s resignation follows a period of instability for St. John Henry Newman, marked by staff departures and a series of community donation requests to close the parish’s deficit in their operating budget.
As of April 13, Anderson is no longer listed as a current staff member on the parish’s website, but continues to be featured in community images on the main home page.
