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	Bishop Finn Charge a Big Blow for Catholics By Kansas City Star Yael T. Abouhalkah October 14, 2011 http://voices.kansascity.com/entries/bishop-finn-charge-big-blow-catholics/ Big news Friday: Bishop Robert Finn now faces charges of failure to report possible child abuse by one of his priests. The KC/St. Joseph diocese faces similar charges. For years, actually decades, the Catholic Church as an institution has had to deal with allegations that its priests and bishops ignored the sexual abuse of children in its care. However, until Friday, reportedly no U.S. bishop had faced charges in connection with these cases. Jackson County Prosecutor Jean Peters Baker said Friday that the charge against Finn was the result of grand jury investigation. And the charges certainly are to drag Finn and the local diocese through some lurid details in the coming trial, if it occurs. Baker said she can assure you “this has nothing to do with the Catholic faith.” “This is about protecting children.” The misdemeanor charge carries a possible penalty of up to a year in jail for Finn. The diocese released information about the charges Friday; here’s the statement. And here’s good background from The Star when Finn testified before grand jury.
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