MO - Catholic Official Changes Her Story; SNAP Responds

By Barbara Dorris
SNAP
August 31, 2012

http://www.snapnetwork.org/mo_catholic_official_changes_her_story_snap_responds

We can’t help but wonder why one of Bishop Finn’s current employees would say one thing under oath weeks ago and now say something radically different. The obvious question is “did someone pressure her to change her story?”

We feel very sorry for Julie Creech. She’s in a very tough spot.

To her credit, Ms. Creech expressed concerns about Fr. Ratigan’s child porn. She spoke up to the highest ranking Catholic officials in Kansas City – Bishop Finn and Finn’s second-in-command Msgr. Murphy. We applaud her for her compassion and her courage.

At the same time, of course, she should have called the police. For months and months, she – and who knows how many other church employees – refused to call the police, even though it was clear that Bishop Finn was hiding Fr. Ratigan’s crimes from police.

Ms. Creech is a smart woman. She was under oath. She either had a lawyer with her or had the chance to have one. She’s had more than two weeks to say “Wait a minute, I ‘misspoke.’” But only now, when her words are made public, on the eve of her boss’ criminal trial, does she speak up and seek a “clarification.”

Something here just doesn’t pass the ‘smell test.’