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  Catholic Church Shows Support for Bishop under Fire

Fox 4
June 12, 2011

http://www.fox4kc.com/news/wdaf-catholic-church-shows-support-for-bishop-under-fire-20110612,0,7610024.story

[with video]

KANSAS CITY, Mo.- A large group of Catholics rallied to support their bishop on Sunday. Robert Finn is under fire for the way he handled allegations involving sex crimes against priests in the Kansas City-St. Joseph Diocese. Even though some are calling for the Bishop's resignation, others are standing behind him.

Some people say Bishop Finn should resign because he failed to take decisive action to protect children. Those who support him say they stand behind because of good work he's done in the past.

As mass ended at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, Catholics who turned out to hear Bishop Finn preach say they're largely satisfied with his explanation of what he calls, "the destructive sins of a few."

"As the bishop said during mass the will of God will be done," said Evelyn Jennings. "That's what his aim is."

The bishop did not speak to the media on Sunday, but stood a few feet away from the cameras, shaking hands with parishioners as they left the church. Finn has been criticized for not promptly reporting to police warnings about one of his priests, Father Shawn Ratigan. Ratigan has since been arrested, charged with three counts of possessing child pornography.

One parent who knows his children had contact with Ratigan still stands strongly behind Bishop Finn.

"I worked with Father Shawn Ratigan for two years," said Nathan Lewis. "My children were around him. I knew him. For all I know, there's pictures on his computer of my children. That's a possibility. But it doesn't change my support of the bishop."

Bishop Finn recently removed another priest from his ministry citing credible reports of sexual misconduct with minors. Those who brought signs of encouragement for the bishop say Finn has

done good work in the community that merits giving him a second chance.

"I do think that he probably made a mistake that is attributable perhaps not only to him," said Ginger Wylie. "I think that he has handled it very well and has put things in place that will prevent anything like this in the future, we hope."

In a letter to all his parishes, Bishop Finn describes his failures as "serious lapses in communication."

About 100 Catholics gathered in support of Bishop Finn praying the rosary before the Feast of Pentecost Service.

 
 

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