There has been much interest in the Kansas story regarding Bishop Finn who copied pornographic material from a priest charged with child pornography. Bishop Finn was indicted because it is a crime to possess child pornography. The original posting is available at: http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=3764421906872260051#editor/target=post;postID=5091109705602284609
The following are updates concerning that story:
Kansas City Star:
See: http://www.kansascity.com/2012/01/07/3358245/supporters-of-bishop-finn-gather.html
National Catholic Reporter Read the whole story: http://ncronline.org/news/accountability/kc-bishop-begins-prosecutor-mandated-parish-meetings
(Bishop) “Finn agreed to meet with diocesan parishes in that county to outline diocesan reporting procedures for suspected child abuse. Finn also agreed to monthly meetings with White to discuss all reported suspicions of abuse in the county, and to appoint a new director of child and youth protection.”
An earlier article NY Times explains the problem is not merely this one case. See: http://www.nytimes.com/2011/08/15/us/15bishop.html?_r=1
…case has generated fury at a bishop who was already a polarizing figure in his diocese, and there are widespread calls for him to resign or even to be prosecuted. Parishioners started a Facebook page called “Bishop Finn Must Go” and are circulating a petition. An editorial in The Kansas City Star in June calling for the bishop to step down concluded that prosecutors must “actively pursue all relevant criminal charges” against everyone involved.
Stoking much of the anger is the fact that only three years ago, Bishop Finn settled lawsuits with 47 plaintiffs in sexual abuse cases for $10 million and agreed to a long list of preventive measures, among them to immediately report anyone suspected of being a pedophile to law enforcement authorities.
Bishop Finn should have been charged with "child endangerment" along with destroying evidence in a felony case.
ReplyDeleteHowever, when you have four highly paid attorneys and the support of thousands, you can get away with protecting a pedophile. Again, and again, and again.