By DeAnn Smith
KCTV
October 14, 2011
http://www.kctv5.com/story/15696725/jackson-county-grand-jury-indicts-catholicdiocese-bishopfinn
 |
KANSAS CITY, MO (KCTV) - The Catholic Diocese and Bishop Robert Finn face misdemeanor charges for the handling of a priest accused of possessing child pornography.
This is the first time a bishop in the United States has faced such allegations.
A Jackson County grand jury cited the diocese and Finn each with one count of failing to report suspected child abuse. The grand jurors said diocese officials and Finn had reasonable cause to believe that Father Shawn Ratigan was taking sexually explicit pictures of children.
Prosecutor Jean Peters Baker said Friday afternoon that even though they were class A misdemeanors charges that should not diminish the significance of the allegations.
 |
"This is a significant charge," she said. "It is about protecting our children."
She said she wants to ensure "there are no other future failures to report resulting in other unsuspecting victims."
In a statement, the diocese and Finn deny the allegations and entered not guilty pleas Friday.
"Bishop Finn denies any criminal wrongdoing and has cooperated at all stages with law enforcement, the grand jury, the prosecutor's office and the (former U.S. Attorney Todd) Graves Commission," said Gerald Handley, an attorney for Finn.
In his own statement, Finn said he will meet the charges "with a steady resolved and a vigorous defense."
He asked for prayers.
"With deep faith, we will weather this storm and never cease to fulfill our mission even in moments of adversity," Finn said.
Ratigan faces criminal charges in both Clay County Circuit Court and federal court related to possessing child pornography. He has denied the allegations.
 |
Several of Ratigan's alleged victims and their parents have sued Ratigan, Finn and the diocese.
Missouri law requires certain individuals to report to authorities suspected child abuse.
The indictment says the diocese and Finn "had reasonable cause to suspect a child may be subjected to abuse due to previous knowledge of concerns regarding Father Ratigan and children; the discovery of hundreds of photographs of children on Father Ratigan's laptop, including a child's naked vagain, upskirt images and images focused on the crotch; and violations of restrictions placed on Father Ratigan; and knowingly failed to immediately report such suspected abuse to the Missouri Children's Division."
The grand jury indicted the diocese and Finn on Oct. 6. The prosecutor said the indictments weren't unsealed until Friday because Finn was out of the country until Thursday night.
Any original material on these pages is copyright © BishopAccountability.org 2004. Reproduce freely with attribution.