BishopAccountability.org
	Bishop Finn Holds Session in St. Joseph By Kristin Hoppa St. Joseph News-Press June 19, 2011 http://www.newspressnow.com/localnews/28285443/detail.html Parishioners focused on hurt and hope as more than 100 area congregation members met for a prayer and listening Saturday evening. The Most Rev. Robert W. Finn, bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Kansas City-St. Joseph, held the prayer and listening session at the Cathedral of St. Joseph Saturday evening. Community members and Catholic parishioners listened as Rev. Finn selectively addressed the recent allegations of sexual misconduct a priest. "This is a terribly, terribly tragic time ... and we all need to be dedicated to try and improve our situation," Rev. Finn told to parishioners. "We all know the reasons we are here in this church tonight." In May, Father Shawn Ratigan, was charged with three counts of possession of child pornography after Kansas City, Mo. police were notified of child pornography found on his computer by a technician in December. Rev. Finn told the gathering that it was important for anyone who was abused by anyone to come forward because abuse is unacceptable. "As you know, I am not able to respond to any questions at this point because of litigation and so forth, but we have begun to put a plan into place in the Diocese," he said. "I think as we plan, I think it will help us understand what has happened, what we can do better, review all of our policies and ... keep working on this with all my strength." Rev. Finn apologized to congregation members for the hurt caused by recent allegations of wrongdoing. Rev. Finn referred to the Bible reference of Bartimaeus where a blind Bartimaeus is healed by Jesus and requested parishioners to keep faith in God's healing power. "All hurts are unacceptable to the Almighty God," he told parishioners. "We pray for the miracle of God's miracle and peace." Parishioners wrote their hurts on a note card and their hope for the Diocese as Rev. Finn promised to continue the healing process for the Catholic Diocese of Kansas City-St. Joseph. Voluntary parties stood and read their hopes and hurts in front of Rev. Finn as he vowed to fully understand their concerns. Kristin Hoppa can be reached at kristin.hoppa@newspressnow.com.
Any original material on these pages is copyright © BishopAccountability.org 2004. Reproduce freely with attribution.