© diocese-kcsj.orgBishop Robert Finn
Bishop Robert Finn of Kansas City has become the first American bishop to face prosecution in connection with his handling of the sex-abuse scandal.
He entered a not-guilty plea on October 14, after a Jackson County grand jury indicted both the bishop and the diocese on misdemeanor charges. Lawyers representing the diocese also entered a not-guilty plea.
Bishop Finn has acknowledged that he was aware in December 2010 that child pornography had been discovered on the computer of a diocesan priest, Father Shawn Ratigan. But he did not inform police about the photos until May. Father Ratigan now faces his own trial on child-pornography charges.
While he has apologized for mishandling the case, Bishop Finn has denied criminal wrongdoing and insists that he has cooperated fully with law-enforcement officials. His lawyer promised a vigorous defense against the criminal charge.
Jackson County prosecutor Jean Peters Baker argued that after learning of the files on Father Ratigan's computer, the bishop had probable cause to believe that children had been abused, and was therefore legally obligated to report to police. He said the criminal charge is a bid "to endure there are not future failures to report, resulting in other unsuspecting victims."
...is what guilty does. Bishop Finn continued to let the priest continue to be involved with Child pornography. Can someone explain how the Bishop prevented/ceased to allow/stopped/assisted stopping any Child abuse - by waiting several months to hand evidence over to Police?
In other reports it is stated the offending priest continued his involvement at the school next door which included taking nude photographs of a Child.
Other reports also state that Bishop Finn on first detecting the Child pornography told the parishoners that the offending priest was ill and had been sent away to live at a convent. Apparently the priest had attempted suicide. Seems to me there are lies being told and it also appears to me that everyone in this evil story needs professional assistance - other than legal.
When will humanity learn to protect Children? We all have to be more vigilant and to keep the Children close to us - until such time as it is safe to let them explore their world!
Much Peace...