SNAP Hopes Bishop Finn Thinks Twice about Going to Trial Next Month

KMOX
July 25, 2012

http://stlouis.cbslocal.com/2012/07/25/snap-hopes-bishop-finn-thinks-twice-about-going-to-trial-next-month/


ST. LOUIS (KMOX)- Local clergy abuse survivors assess the impact of today's 3 to 6 prison sentence handed down to a Philadelphia church official for covering up sex abuse claims against priests.

First, SNAP's David Clohessy says he's glad the monsignor will spend time behind bars.

"We think that jailing men who conceal child sex crimes is a good way to deter people to concealing child sex crimes," he says

And, Clohessy says, that sentence may have an impact on a St. Louis-native who could be the next church official to go on trial — Kansas City St. Joseph Bishop Robert Finn.

"We also suspect that the sentencing in Philadelphia will make Bishop Finn think twice about his decision to go to trial on the charges against him," he says.

Bishop Finn and the Kansas City diocese face a misdemeanor charge for failing to report suspected child sexual abuse. Both Finn and the Diocese have pleaded not guilty and are set to go on trial next month.