Lake County Clergy Removal: Mukundi Steps Aside

Cardinal Blase J. Cupich announced on Saturday that Father Samson N. Mukundi has been temporarily removed from public ministry. The Archbishop of Chicago stated that the archdiocese received an allegation regarding inappropriate physical contact and boundary violations involving an adult. The letter addressed to parishioners of St. Gilbert Parish in Grayslake and four other locations noted that the allegation does not involve the sexual abuse of a minor, but Cupich described the concerns as serious.

Mukundi served as associate pastor at St. Gilbert Parish from November 2007 to June 2012. He is currently the pastor of Blessed Sacrament Parish in Chicago’s McKinley Park neighborhood. Cupich directed Mukundi to undergo a period of evaluation during which he will not engage in public priestly ministry. The announcement letters did not specify when or where the alleged conduct occurred or if it relates to his time in Grayslake. They also did not indicate whether Mukundi has responded to the allegation or if law enforcement was notified.

Father Deogratias Mbonyumugenzi, pastor of St. Elizabeth of the Trinity Parish in Chicago, will serve as administrator of Blessed Sacrament Parish while Mukundi steps away. Cupich asked parishioners to pray for those affected, for Mukundi, and for the community during this difficult time. The Archbishop acknowledged that the news may raise questions among those who have known Mukundi for years. He emphasized the archdiocese's responsibility to uphold conduct standards while ensuring everyone is treated with fairness, dignity, and respect.

Cupich encouraged anyone who experienced inappropriate conduct, unwanted physical contact, or boundary violations involving Mukundi to come forward. He stated the archdiocese is committed to listening carefully and responding appropriately. Concerns can be reported to the Vicars for Priests Office at 312-534-1837. Individuals who believe they experienced criminal misconduct were also advised to contact local law enforcement. The archdiocese said it will share more information as appropriate and as circumstances permit.

Mukundi is the fifth clergy member with ties to Lake County parishes to be removed from ministry by the archdiocese since the summer of 2025. In February, Cupich retired Father David F. Ryan, pastor of St. Francis de Sales Catholic Parish in Lake Zurich, after a third allegation of sexual abuse of a minor. Ryan had previously been cleared and returned to ministry after allegations in 2020 and 2021. In October, the archdiocese received allegations of grooming and sexual misconduct against Father Xamie Reyes, pastor of Little Flower Parish in Waukegan, involving seminarians. Reyes is living away from the parish pending an investigation.

Deacon Rajan Fernando, who served at St. Joseph Parish in Round Lake, had his faculties removed in November after allegations of sexual abuse of minors. Father Denis Manuel Carneiro, an associate pastor at St. Mary Parish in Buffalo Grove, was removed in January following an allegation of sexual abuse of a child in India approximately 60 years ago. Carneiro strenuously denied that allegation. Each of these recent removals reflects the archdiocese's ongoing review of clergy conduct in the region.