By Kathy Quinn
Fox 4
June 10, 2011
http://www.fox4kc.com/news/wdaf-catholic-diocese-of-kcst-joe-wants-one-sexual-misconduct-lawsuit-dropped-20110610,0,1984496.story
[with video]
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The Catholic Diocese of Kansas City-St. Joseph has been under scrutiny recently because of priest sex abuse scandals. Bishop Robert Finn responded with a five-point plan to change the way the diocese reacts to allegations. The diocese wants one of two lawsuits filed against father tierney to be dismissed because of the statute of limitations.
Father Tierney was removed from Christ the King last week. The case: John Doe BP vs. Father Michael Tierney was filed last September. Some of the allegations of "misconduct with minors" date back to the 1970s and 1980s. According to the diocese, one person alleged he had "wrestled with tierney but in the lawsuit, he said he was groped."
Father Tierney denies any wrongdoing.
The diocese, Bishop Robert Finn and Father Shawn Ratigan are also named in a federal lawsuit. The suit claims that father ratigan produced child pornography, that the diocese knew about it and covered it up.
Father Ratigan has already been charged in a criminal action of possessing child porn.
Bishop Robert Finn released a five-point plan including appointing former US Attorney Todd Graves to conduct an independent investigation into the ratigan case.
A public liaison will also be appointed to investigate future claims.
The diocese is reviewing its code of conduct and will retrain employees. And even though the bishop says other steps will be taken.
Bill Kopp who recently filed naming Father Thomas Reardon says he did it to save others from abuse.
A national sex abuse attorney and advocate is meeting privately today with parents whose children were victims of father ratigan at St. Patrick's school.
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