By Justin Kendall
The Pitch
September 19, 2011
http://www.pitch.com/plog/archives/2011/09/19/bishop-robert-finn-testifies-before-a-jackson-county-grand-jury
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| Bishop Finn spoke to grand jurors last week. |
Bishop Robert Finn testified before a Jackson County grand jury last Friday, the Star reported.
Of course, this all comes back to the child pornography charges (both state and federal) against the Rev. Shawn Ratigan. The grand jury began meeting last month, and the Star reported that "the lineup of grand jury witnesses suggests that the inquiry is focused more on the conduct of diocesan officials than that of Ratigan."
I wonder if grand jurors are reviewing why it took the Catholic diocese five months to report Ratigan to authorities. Or maybe Ratigan's placement at an Independence mission house that allowed him to allegedly victimize a 12-year-old girl on Easter Sunday — the same girl whom he allegedly took naked pictures of when she was 6 years old. Or Bishop Finn's explanation that a priest shortage is a good reason for keeping around someone suspected of taking child-porn pics of little girls. At least, I hope they're asking about these issues.
Those who have testified have included diocesan spokeswoman Rebecca Summers and a Kansas City police captain who church officials conferred with when objectionable photos were found on Ratigan's laptop. The police captain also sits on the diocese’s Independent Review Board for allegations against priests.
“We’re doing the best we can to cooperate with law enforcement,” Finn told reporters after testifying.
Too little, too late, bishop.
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