UNITED STATES
Christian Science Monitor
[KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — The Associated Press has withdrawn its story about Pope Francis accepting the resignation of a bishop who led the Diocese of Kansas City-St Joseph in Missouri for nearly 10 years. Bishop Robert Finn was convicted by a judge of failing to report suspected child abuse, but did not plead guilty as the story stated. A corrected version of the story will be sent.
The AP]
By Nicole Winfield and Margaret Stafford, Associated Press APRIL 21, 2015
KANSAS CITY, MO. — Pope Francis accepted the resignation Tuesday of a U.S. bishop who pleaded guilty to failing to report a suspected child abuser, answering calls by victims to take action against bishops who cover up for pedophile priests.
Bishop Robert Finn, who led the Diocese of Kansas City-St Joseph in Missouri for nearly 10 years, resigned under canon law that allows bishops to resign early for illness or some “grave” reason that makes them unfit for office. But his resignation did not provide a specific reason.
Finn, 62, is 13 years shy of the normal retirement age of 75.
In 2012, Finn pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor charge of failure to report suspected abuse and was sentenced to two years of probation, making him the highest-ranking church official in the U.S. to be convicted of not taking action in response to abuse allegations. …
The removal was praised by Marie Collins, a prominent member of Francis’ own sex abuse advisory board who had called for Finn to go and demanded that the Vatican hold bishops accountable when they fail to protect children.
“Things are moving slowly, as I have said many times, but they are moving in the right direction!” she tweeted. …
Rebecca Randles, the attorney who represented the plaintiffs in several abuse lawsuits that have cost the dioceses millions of dollars, said Finn’s resignation was an important step for abuse victims and the diocese.
“For survivors, there is a sense that as long as Finn was in charge, there would be no way they would have had closure on their own experience. He was a symbol bearer,” she said “And this kind of abuse ripples across all the Catholic faithful.” …
In a statement, Anne Barrett Doyle, co-director of the online abuse resource BishopAccountability.org, said Finn’sresignation was a welcome step but called on Francis to publicly state that he was removed for mismanaging the Ratigan case and failing to protect children.
She noted that bishops had been allowed to resign under the previous two popes, but that the Vatican has never publicly linked their resignations to mishandling abuse cases.
“We urge Pope Francis to issue such a statement immediately. That would be unprecedented,” she said. “And it would send a bracing message to bishops and religious superiors worldwide that a new era has begun.”
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