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	Family Files Suit against Priest, Bishop, & Diocese in Child Porn Case By Abby Eden FOX 4 June 2, 2011 http://www.fox4kc.com/news/wdaf-family-files-suit-against-priest-bishop-diocese-in-child-porn-case-20110602,0,3558702.story [with video] A metro priest, the Diocese of Kansas City-St. Joseph and its bishop have all been named in a federal lawsuit filed Friday. The family filing the suit says the diocese and Bishop Robert Finn concealed evidence that Father Shawn Ratigan was taking inappropriate pictures of young girls. Ratigan is already facing child porn charges. The suit charges that starting in 2006, Ratigan took photographs of a young girl. The lawsuit is being filed on behalf of that girl's family, who is remaining anonymous. The suit says the photos show the girl, a toddler, in her underwear performing sexual acts, which by definition constitute child pornography, according to the lawsuit. It says Ratigan then used the internet to distribute pictures of the child. The lawsuit also claims Bishop Finn and the diocese concealed information that claimed Ratigan was interacting inappropriately with students. The lawyers representing the plaintiffs in this suit say their goal is to stop the diocese from mishandling crimes by priests. "This diocese has a history of recycling and concealing crimes of priests in it," lawyer Jeff Anderson said. In 2008 a settlement was reached with nearly 50 abuse plaintiffs. At that time, the diocese promised to immediately report any abuse allegations to law enforcement. The lawsuit says the plaintiff has and will suffer emotional distress, fear for safety, and embarrassment among other consequences due to Ratigan's actions. It also demands a jury trial. One member of SNAP, an abuse victims' advocacy group, claims Catholic Diocese everywhere cover up abuse claims. "This kind of wrongdoing is very very widespread and it's very, very much continuing," says David Clohessy. The diocese spokesperson released a brief statement expressing concern for the child in the suit and her family.
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