KANSAS CITY (MO)
Fox 4
[with video]
NOVEMBER 14, 2014, BY MEGAN BRILLEY
KANSAS CITY, Mo. — A Kansas City-St. Joseph Catholic Diocese bishop is back in the national spotlight, gaining the attention of Pope Francis himself.
A key cardinal and advisor to Pope Francis spoke with 60 Minutes and said the pope knows he will have to soon address Bishop Robert Finn.
Since Bishop Finn’s conviction, the diocese has not been the same. Catholics are hoping this break in silence will bring change and hope to back the church.
“I’m just your average catholic in the pew,” said Jeff Weis.
Weis was raised Catholic and was heavily involved in the diocese of Kansas City, until he heard the man he once called a spiritual leader is now labeled a criminal.
“It’s hard for me to go to a church that I know is part of his diocese,” said Weis.
In 2012, a Jackson County judge convicted Bishop Finn of misdemeanor failure to report suspicions of child abuse. Investigators say Bishop Finn did not tell authorities about a priest who later pleaded guilty to producing child porn.
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