The case stemmed from the diocese’s slow dealing with Shawn Ratigan, a priest from Independence, Missouri, who pleaded guilty in August to five charges of child pornography. Prosecutors said it took nearly five months for church officials to notify police that disturbing images of children had been found on Ratigan’s computer.
A judge in Kansas City, Missouri, has sentenced a Catholic bishop to two years on probation for failure to report suspected child abuse, officials said Thursday.
Bishop Robert W. Finn, 59, is the highest-ranking Catholic official to be convicted during the church’s long sexual abuse scandal.
Finn won’t serve any jail time or pay a fine, the Jackson County Prosecuting Attorney’s office said. The misdemeanor charge had a maximum penalty of one year in prison and a fine of as much as $1,000.
One other misdemeanor against the bishop and two against Diocese of Kansas City-St. Joseph were dropped.
The case stemmed from the diocese’s slow dealing with Shawn Ratigan, a priest from Independence, Missouri, who pleaded guilty in August to five charges of child pornography.
Prosecutors said it took nearly five months for church officials to notify police that disturbing images of children had been found on Ratigan’s computer.
During that time Ratigan continued to work for the church.
Subscribe to Free “Top 10 Stories” Email
Get the top 10 stories from The Aquila Report in your inbox every Tuesday morning.