Carl A. Kemme

After deciding to study for the priesthood, Kemme transferred to St. Henry's Preparatory Seminary in Belleville, Illinois, where he finished high school.

[1] Kemme was ordained a priest for the Diocese of Springfield in Illinois at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception by Bishop Daniel L. Ryan on May 10, 1986.

[1] In 2002, Bishop George J. Lucas named Kemme as vicar general and moderator of the curia for the diocese; he would hold both positions until 2009.

[1] In 2009, Kemme resigned as vicar general and moderator to become diocesan administrator sede vacante after the departure of Bishop George Lucas.

[4] Kemme added this statement:Owning our past is the first step in building a new future, one in which we will continue to diligently work hard as we have been for many years now, so that these violations to human dignity will never happen again.

[5]On November 1, 2021, Kemme placed Reverend Michael Schemm from Resurrection Parish in Bel Aire, Kansas, on suspension pending investigation.