For the first time, a high-ranking Catholic official in the United States has been charged in a child sexual abuse case. Bishop Robert Finn, who oversees a diocese of 134,000 members in Missouri, and the Catholic Diocese of Kansas City-St. Joseph in Missouri itself, are facing misdemeanors charges of failing to report child abuse.

 

The charges stem from the case of Father Shawn Ratigan, who has been indicted for possessing child pornography. Ratigan also is suspected of abusing a minor.

 

Prosecutors contend Finn and the diocese knew from December 2010 to May 2011 about Ratigan abusing a child, but did nothing to report it. The allegations are based on previous suspicions about Ratigan’s behavior around children and the discovery in December 2010 of hundreds of photos of children on the priest’s computer.

 

If convicted, Finn faces a maximum penalty of one year in jail and a $1,000 fine. The diocese faces a fine of up to $5,000.

-Noel Brinkerhoff

 

Bishop Finn and Diocese are Indicted (by Judy L. Thomas, Mark Morris and Glenn E. Rice, Kansas City Star)

Bishop Finn, Diocese of Kansas City ~ St. Joseph Indicted in Jackson Co. (by Beth Vaughn, NBC Action News)