Rome - Pope Ousts One Bishop but Let's Convicted One Stay

The Survivors Network of Those Abused by Priests
October 23, 2013

http://www.snapnetwork.org/rome_pope_ousts_one_bishop_but_let_s_convicted_one_stay

For immediate release: Wednesday, Oct. 23, 2013 

Statement by Barbara Dorris of St. Louis, Outreach Director of SNAP, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (314 862 7688 home, 314 503 0003 cell,SNAPdorris@gmail.com)

Pope Francis has suspended a German bishop for financial misdeeds.

But he ignores bishops who have concealed or are concealing child sex crimes. He should suspend them promptly, starting with Bishop Robert Finn of Kansas City Missouri, who was convicted in 2012 of withholding evidence - hundreds of sexual photos of young girls - from police.

[Bishop Finn is found guilty of failing to report child abuse suspicions]

There are many bishops who should be suspended. But Finn is the most clearly proven wrongdoer. His guilt was established in an impartial trial in open court, despite a bevy of experienced and highly-paid lawyers fighting on his behalf.

Many Catholics no doubt applaud the German bishop’s suspension. But think about the message it sends hundreds of thousands of victims of child molesting clerics: “The Pope cares more about saving the church’s money than about saving the church’s children.”

One reason to suspend a wrongdoer is to deter others from emulating him. So what’s more crucial to deter? Child sex crimes and cover ups? Or financial extravagance?

Contact - David Clohessy (314-566-9790 cell, SNAPclohessy@aol.com), Barbara Dorris (314-862-7688 home, 314-503-0003 cell, SNAPdorris@gmail.com), Barbara Blaine (312-399-4747, SNAPblaine@gmail.com)

Contact: SNAPclohessy@aol.com