BishopAccountability.org
	Questions Surround Diocese's Action in Priest's Case KMBC May 20, 2011 http://www.kmbc.com/r/27971435/detail.html KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- A day after a Catholic priest was arrested and charged with possessing child pornography, the Catholic Diocese of Kansas City-St. Joseph is facing questions over its handling of the case. The Rev. Shawn Ratigan was charged on Thursday with three counts of possessing child pornography. Video | Bishop's Statement KMBC's Micheal Mahoney reported that Finn and the church are under intense fire. On Friday, Bishop Robert Finn issued a statement saying that the diocese found out about the problem in mid-December and the very next day, talked to a Kansas City police officer and an attorney. Bishop Finn's Statement On Priest's Arrest It was determined that the image of a young naked girl was "very troubling," but that since it did not depict sexual conduct or contact, it was not child pornography. Ratigan tried to commit suicide on Dec. 17. The diocese removed Ratigan from St. Patrick's Catholic Church and warned him to stay away from children. Finn said when Ratigan ignored the church's warnings, the same police officer was contacted and the matter turned over to the Cyber Crimes Unit, which resulted in charges against Ratigan. "I deeply regret that we didn't ask the police earlier to conduct a full investigation," Finn said in the statement. A group counseling Catholics who say they were abused by priests remains critical of the church. "Who waits five months? This is something where you call the police immediately," said Michael Hunter of Catholic Victims Abuse Group. In 2008, Finn and the diocese entered into a $10 million settlement with past victims. There was also a condition in that deal where the diocese would continue to follow mandatory state reporting requirements in suspected child abuse cases. State law calls for an immediate report to the Division of Family Services in suspected cases. Finn's statement said nothing about filing a state report. "But if you have reason to suspect there may be abuse, you're supposed to report that to DFS," attorney Rebecca Randle said. Randle is the attorney who handled the settlement with the church.
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