The bishop of the Diocese of Kansas City-St. Joseph, Robert Finn, who failed to report that one of his diocese's priest was sexually abusing a young girl, has submitted his resignation to Pope Francis. On Tuesday, the pontiff accepted this via the Vatican Information Services, its regular news bulletin.
According to Newsweek, the diocese has already learned that Pope Francis was planning on accepting Finn's resignation as early as last week. But the details were made official in the Vatican bulletin only on Tuesday. Under "Other Pontifical Acts" sent via email, a short blurb about the pope's acceptance of Finn's resignation was stated.
In December 2010, Finn was told by a computer technician that a priest by the name of Shawn Ratigan was found to have lewd photographs of young girls in his laptop. Finn's recourse was to send Ratigan to a convent to limit his contact with minors. However, by May, the priest was once again seen at the parish, allegedly with Finn's permission. Ratigan even officiated a girl's First Communion.
It was Monsignor Robert Murphy who reported Ratigan to the police, and the priest was later arrested, investigated and then charged with child pornography. After a trial in court, Ratigan was sentenced to 50 years in prison.
Meanwhile, Finn was also sentenced to 2 years probation following his failure to report Ratigan in 2010. The bishop was also ordered by the court to start a program for the employees of the diocese in order to detect child abuse cases.
"It has been an honor and joy for me to serve here among so many good people of faith. Please begin already to pray for whomever God may call to be the next Bishop of Kansas City-St. Joseph," said Finn after learning Pope Francis accepted his resignation.
Despite this, the bishop will remain with the service and will still be allowed to say mass. According to Jack Smith, the director of communications of Diocese of Kansas City-St. Joseph, Bishop Finn is "in good standing."
