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	Groups Reach out to Victims, Parishioners By Jennifer Hall St. Joseph News-Press June 13, 2011 http://www.newspressnow.com/news/28219119/detail.html A national support group and the Catholic church are reaching out to parishioners this week. The Survivors Network for those Abused by Priests will meet from 7 to 9 p.m. Thursday at the East Hills Library. On Saturday, the Most Rev. Robert W. Finn, bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Kansas City-St. Joseph, will hold a prayer and listening session at 7:30 p.m. at the Cathedral of St. Joseph, 519 N. 10th St. This is at least the third listening session Finn has conducted in the weeks following allegations of sexual misconduct by a priest. The talks are considered private and open to parishioners and concerned members of the community. “There may be people sharing confidential things and we wanted to make sure people’s confidentiality will be maintained,” said Rebecca Summers, director of communications for the diocese. Father Shawn Ratigan, a priest who formerly worked in St. Joseph, will be arraigned Thursday afternoon in a Kansas City courtroom. Ratigan is charged with three counts of possession of child pornography after detectives found pornographic images on his church and personal computers. “We’re hearing from dozens of really upset parishioners who justifiably feel betrayed and outraged by church officials who ignored and concealed suspected clergy sex crimes,” said Barbara Dorris, SNAP’s outreach director. “These Catholics deserve some straight answers and a chance to air their feelings and fears.” In a press release, SNAP said Thursday’s meeting will focus on Ratigan. “While victims need support, so do others who have been hurt by the church hierarchy, like those at St. Patrick’s as well as those at St. Mary’s parish, St. Joseph’s parish and Bishop LeBlond High School, where Ratigan also worked,” said Mike Hunter, SNAP’s Kansas City director. “We want to do whatever we can to lend a hand to people who are in pain because of this horrific case.” The first part of the meeting will be an open discussion about the Ratigan case and other crimes regarding clergy. Following that, a confidential support group will focus on coping. Jennifer Hall can be reached at jennhall@newspressnow.com
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