Judge Rules to Let Trial Proceed for Bishop, Kc Catholic Diocese

By Laura McCallister
KCTV
April 5, 2012

http://www.kctv5.com/story/17343669/judge


A Jackson County judge refused to dismiss misdemeanor charges against Bishop Robert Finn and the Kansas City Catholic Diocese.

Finn is the bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Kansas City-St. Joseph and is the highest-ranking U.S. Roman Catholic official accused of shielding an abusive priest.

Charges allege that he failed to report suspected child abuse in the church for nearly half a year. Rev. Shawn Ratigan is now facing federal child porn charges.

Prosecutors have said Finn and the Catholic Diocese should have reported possible sexual abuse by Ratigan in 24 hours as required by state law. Prosecutors said the diocese knew about the abuse in December 2010 but did not report in until May 2011.

Attorneys representing Finn have said he wasn't the designated reporter for the diocese, the law is unconstitutionally vague and charges against him should be dropped.

Circuit Judge John Torrence said Thursday the law isn't vague and there's evidence to allow jurors to conclude Finn is a designated reporter.

Finn has acknowledged he had been told about child pornography found on Ratigan's computer several months before the diocese turned over to police a disk containing the photos.

"We were pleased to read Judge Torrence's ruling today," said Jackson County Prosecutor Jean Peters Baker. "Our office will continue to prepare diligently for trial in this case."

Baker noted that the prosecutor's office will also examine its alternatives to obtain the information sought in the subpoenas that were quashed in Torrence's ruling.

The executive director of SNAP, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests, issued the following response after the judge's ruling.

We are pleased that the case against Bishop Finn will move forward. This is the first time that a Bishop has faced criminal charges for his role in a cover-up, and we are hopeful that the full truth will come out in a trial. For too long have church officials been able to stymie justice and truth by hiding behind legal technicalities and high-priced attorneys. We are excited that the public now has the opportunity to hear the full story of what really has gone on in Kansas City.

Finn's lawyers have also argued that the charges against the diocese should be separated from the charges against the bishop, and there should be two separate trials.

A jury will now move forward with the case. The trial is set for Sept. 24.