Catholic group calls for Bishop Finn to resign

Karen Dillon
Kansas City Star
Sept. 16, 2012

Members of a national Catholics organization on Sunday demanded the resignation of Bishop Robert W. Finn, who was convicted this month of failing to report child sexual abuse.

The National Survivor Advocates Coalition, which has its headquarters in Dayton, Ohio, held a press conference in Barney Allis Plaza — in the shadow of the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception — to make its demand.

“A criminally convicted bishop cannot lead. Bishop Finn must resign or be removed by Pope Benedict,” said coalition chairwoman Kristine Ward. “Every hour he remains bishop revictimizes survivors and their families.”

Finn, who is head of the Diocese of Kansas City-St. Joseph, is the highest-ranking U.S. Catholic cleric to be convicted in the church’s decades-long child sexual abuse scandal.

Finn was convicted of one misdemeanor for failing to report child abuse suspicions against the Rev. Shawn Ratigan.

Ratigan pleaded guilty in August to five federal counts of producing or attempting to produce child pornography.

Jack Smith, a spokesman for the diocese, said there would be no comment about the call for Finn’s resignation.

....... Original article at the Kansas City Star