And Yet Finn Remains Bishop

By Frank Cocozzelli
Talk to Action
December 22, 2014

http://www.talk2action.org/story/2014/12/22/73756/938/Front_Page/And_Yet_Finn_Remains_Bishop

It has been more than two years since Bishop Robert Finn was convicted by a Missouri criminal court for failing to report child abuse by Fr. Shawn Ratigan. Finn had been warned about Ratigan's behavior but the prelate inexplicably waited six months before notifying authorities as required by law. Within that same period of time, Ratigan pleaded guilty to possessing child pornography. He is now serving a 50-year sentence in prison. But Finn walks free.

Enter Pope Francis.

The new pontiff has been a breath of fresh air in many ways. But when it comes to removing Bishop Finn as head of the diocese of Kansas City-St. Joseph Missouri the air around the pontiff has gotten stale.

That's why many were encouraged when Cardinal Sean O'Malley was interviewed recently by the CBS News program 60 Minutes. O'Malley is not just any Cardinal. He is a close friend of and advisor to Pope Francis, who appointed him to lead the Vatican's new sexual abuse commission aimed at strengthening rules to protect children. When the conversation turned to Bishop Finn, Cardinal O'Malley did not mince his words:

Norah O'Donnell: I want to ask you about Robert Finn, who is the bishop of Kansas City/St. Joseph and, as you know, he pleaded guilty to a criminal misdemeanor for not reporting one of his priests to authorities. Bishop Finn wouldn't be able to teach Sunday school in Boston.

Cardinal Sean O'Malley: That's right.

Norah O'Donnell: How is that zero tolerance...

Cardinal Sean O'Malley: Well...

Norah O'Donnell: ...that he's still in place? What does it say to Catholics?

Cardinal Sean O'Malley: Well, it's a question that the Holy See needs to address urgently.

Norah O'Donnell: And there's a recognition?

Cardinal Sean O'Malley: There's a recognition of that.

Norah O'Donnell: From Pope Francis?

Cardinal Sean O'Malley: From Pope Francis.

But it was not to be. Or at least not yet. It has been more than a month since that interview when it sounded like Bishop Finn was on his way out the door.

Why is he still there?

The differences between Francis and Finn are as deep and wide as the Grand Canyon.

Pope Francis - a Jesuit - is tolerant, open minded, and often talks about the Church and its mission to help the poor and the marginalized. Bishop Finn is not only a shrill cultural warrior, and a member of the conservative and traditionalist order, Opus Dei -- but he is an admitted and convicted criminal.

This makes the Pope's inaction even more puzzling.

His inaction is eroding his credibility. It suggests he is a leader who says the right thing, but doesn't do the right thing. Finn is a darkening stain on his this papacy. It is long past time to remove it.