BishopAccountability.org
	SNAP Urges St. Joseph Victims to Step Forward By Lourin Sprenger St. Joe Channel June 17, 2011 http://stjoechannel.com/fulltext-news?nxd_id=207167 Thursday a support group for clergy sex abuse victims held a confidential meeting to discuss allegations against Shawn Ratigan. In a closed door meeting, potential sex abuse victims questioned the alleged sex predator and former St. Joseph priest. Those with a history of abuse -- the group S.N.A.P --- the survivors network of those abused by priests were in St. Joseph offering support. Ratigan, a former St. Mary's priest and Bishop Leblond chaplain, was arrested and charged with child pornography in Kansas City last month. Police said pictures found on his computer show little girls in and around the areas where Ratigan was assigned, including St. Joseph. S.N.A.P officials said if accusations like Ratigan's turn out to be true, it's unlikely all victims involved will step forward. They're urging anyone with information to contact police. The archdiocese of Kansas city-St. Joseph announced a five point plan to handle Ratigan's allegations. It includes an independent investigation of the case, as well as a review of the church's policies. Bishop Robert Finn of the Kansas City-St. Joseph diocese plans to visit St. Joseph this Saturday. He will respond to the criticism about the way the diocese handled the allegations against Father Ratigan. Bishop Finn will meet with families and parishioners during his visit to co-Cathedral on North 10th street.
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