Group speaks out against Lincoln Catholic bishop

By Andrew Ozaki
KETV
January 27, 2016

http://www.ketv.com/news/group-speaks-out-against-lincoln-catholic-bishop/37669548

LINCOLN, Neb. —A group that speaks on behalf of survivors abused by priests when they were young protested Wednesday morning in front of the Catholic chancery in Lincoln.

The group voiced frustration over the first bishop in the U.S. who was criminally convicted of sheltering a priest suspected of child sex abuse and is now in the Lincoln diocese. 

Holding pictures of children abused by clergy, members of the Survivors Network of Those Abused by Priests (SNAP) stood together on Wednesday.

"We want to prevent more clergy sex crimes and cover-ups," Judy Jones said. "And the way that happens is by disciplining those who commit and conceal crimes and misdeeds."

Bishop Robert Finn, of the Kansas City and St. Joseph, Missouri, diocese, resigned in April. He was convicted of a a misdemeanor for not turning in a priest under his fold for manufacturing child pornography. 

Finn was sentenced to two years' probation.

The diocese was later forced to pay over $1 million to victims.

"Bishop Finn needs to be defrocked, demoted and disciplined," Jones said.

The group delivered a letter to Lincoln's bishop, asking for the church to follow the lead of Pope Francis and hold bishops accountable for not protecting children from sexual abuse.

"We take the protection of children in the diocese of Lincoln seriously," diocese spokesman JD Flynn said. 

Flynn said Finn is retired and was invited to move to Lincoln in December. Finn has publicly admitted to making mistakes.

"And he faced legal consequences for that," Flynn said. "In the diocese of Lincoln in his retirement, he is serving as a chaplain to a community of religious sisters. He is not exercising administrative authority."

But SNAP members said it still opens wounds for victims.

"We could forgive a drunken school (bus) driver, but it would be careless and cruel to give the drunken driver the keys to another school bus," Jones said.

SNAP and the Catholic diocese said they can help provide counseling for any victims of sexual assault. They also urge people to report any crimes or concerns to local police.