Kc Bishop Guilty on 1 Count of Failure to Report Abuse

KMBC
September 6, 2012

http://www.kmbc.com/news/kansas-city/Bench-trial-under-way-for-KC-Catholic-Bishop/-/11664182/16508846/-/to0gy4z/-/index.html

Kansas City Catholic Bishop Robert Finn has been found guilty of one count of failure to report abuse and not guilty on a second count.

The verdict came in a bench trial in Jackson County Court. A judge heard arguments from the prosecution and defense and reached a verdict after a 30-minute recess.

The bishop was accused of failing to report suspected child abuse to the state in the case of the Rev. Shawn Ratigan, who was charged with taking indecent pictures of children.

Last month, Ratigan pleaded guilty to five counts of producing child pornography in federal court. Eight other counts were dismissed.

Finn spoke briefly to the court after the verdict was reached and said he was sorry. The judge gave him a suspended sentence of two years of probation and required him to undergo training for reporting suspected abuse. The terms of the probation also required Finn to set up a training program for other members of the clergy to identify and respond to abuse, and to set up a $10,000 fund to help abuse victims receive counseling.

The diocese was also charged with failure to report, but the cases were separated early Thursday. Prosecutors said after the Finn verdict that they planned to drop the charges against the diocese.

Diocese interim public information officer Jack Smith said there was no indication that the verdict would lead to Finn's removal from his position.

"The Bishop looks forward to continuing to perform his duties, including carrying out the important obligations placed on him by the Court," Smith said.

The courtroom was packed for Thursday's bench trial, with people supporting both sides.

"He never intentionally did anything wrong or would cover anything up," said supporter Brea Roper. "I know that's not of his character."

"Intent or not, he failed," said Jon David Couzens, a friend of one of the victims. "It's not about being Catholic. It's about an organization and a man in charge that failed."

Roper said she will continue to support Finn and will pray for him.

But Couzens said it's time for someone else to take over.

"I believe that if it was outside of the Catholic Church, any other organization, that he would have been asked to step down or forced to step down," he said.

Prosecution Statement

Prosecutor Jean Peters Baker spoke to reporters after the verdict and said her office plans to monitor the case closely.

"We'll be back in the courtroom, should we need to, to make sure all of the conditions of his probation will be carried out," she said. "The bottom line today is that finding by the court, a finding of guilt, means the diocese and whoever is its leader must adhere to the very clear legal requirements regarding protection of children."

She said the decision to go with a bench trial had the advantage of sparing the victims and their families the process of a tough trial.

"The courtroom is not a therapeutic place," she said. "These victims' families -- and I've spoken with many, many of them about today's case -- they were all ecstatic that this could end today, with their child's anonymity protected."

When asked if she thought Finn should stay in his job, Peters Baker said that wasn't up to her.

"You'll have to call Rome to get that answer," she said.

Lawyers for Finn and the Diocese of Kansas City-St. Joseph released the following statement after the verdict:

"Bishop Finn is grateful that the court and prosecutor have allowed this matter to be resolved. This could have been a lengthy and emotionally difficult trial for all persons affected. The bench trial, with a stipulation of testimony, has avoided the need for live testimony from diocesan employees, parishioners and others. This process has also resulted in the charges against the Diocese being dismissed by the state. The diocesan process and procedures as previously existed failed to adequately identify the necessity to inform the Children's Division of Shawn Ratigan's behavior in a more timely manner. For this, the bishop is truly sorry."