The Archdiocese of Chicago has temporarily removed from ministry Father Samson Mukundi, pastor of Blessed Sacrament in the McKinley Park neighborhood on the city’s southwest side, after receiving a complaint of “inappropriate physical contact” and “boundary violations” with an adult, the Chicago Sun-Times reported. The measure is outlined in a letter from Cardinal Blase Cupich addressed to the parish and dated Saturday, October 31.
In the letter, Cupich clarifies that the allegations do not involve any minors, although he maintains that “the concerns raised are serious and warrant careful attention and appropriate action.” The archbishop has also ordered Mukundi to undergo an evaluation period, the archdiocese told ABC7 Chicago, which added that the complaint is under investigation.
Letters to four other parishes
The archdiocese has also sent communications to the four parishes where Mukundi previously served: Jesus, Bread of Life in Logan Square; St. Benedict the African in Englewood; St. Gilbert in Grayslake; and St. John Neumann in Homewood. The aim is to ensure that the faithful in those communities are informed of the complaint and the decision taken.
To cover Blessed Sacrament during the pastor’s absence, Cupich has appointed Father Deogratias Mbonyumugenzi as interim administrator; he is already pastor of St. Elizabeth of the Trinity.
A series of removals in the archdiocese
The case adds to others the archdiocese has handled in recent months. In July, Cupich removed Father and activist Michael Pfleger after a complaint of alleged abuse of a minor, as InfoVaticana reported, and at the end of August reinstated him after the Independent Review Board concluded that “there is no reason to believe” he was guilty. In October 2025, the cardinal also removed the pastor of Little Flower in Waukegan following complaints of inappropriate sexual conduct with adult seminarians.