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	Ex-contractor Files Whistleblower Lawsuit against Kc-st. Joseph Diocese By Jason Vaughn Fox 4 October 7, 2011 http://www.fox4kc.com/news/wdaf-excontractor-files-whistleblower-lawsuit-against-kcst-joseph-diocese-20111007,0,7408054.story KANSAS CITY, Mo.— A former Kansas City-St. Joseph Catholic Diocese contractor has filed suit against the diocese, claiming that the church retaliated against her after she offered to help the alleged sexual abuse victims of Father Shawn Ratigan. Margaret Mata, a former grantwriting contractor for the diocese, claims that the diocese first said no to her offer of help, and then began investigating her private life, disabled e-mail access and removed software from her computer. Mata's lawsuit lists the diocese and Bishop Robert Finn as defendants. Her lawsuit is being supported by SNAP, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests. So we're saying to diocesan witnesses, whistleblowers, employees, please come forward. Yes you might lose your job, but now is the time to put the safety of innocent children first," said SNAP Outreach director Barbara Dorris. In a statement, the diocese denied that it ever prevented Mata from performing work within the scope of her agreement as a contract worker. She formally declined the renewal of her contract on July 21st. "As an independent contractor, Mata was expected to comply with diocesan rules that govern use of diocesan property, computer networks, and communications by Internet and electronic means. As with any other independent contractor or diocesan employee, Mata had no reasonable expectation of privacy in her communications using those diocesan resources," said the diocese in the statement.
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