News story summarizes known facts in case involving Bishop Finn, accused priest

December 05, 2011

The Reuters news service provides a summary of the information that has been made public about the case that led to the indictment of Bishop Robert Finn of Kansas City.

Reuters offers little new information, but furnishes a full and reasonably objective analysis of how Kansas City diocesan officials learned of troubling photos on the computer of Father Shawn Ratigan, how the diocese handled the case, and how police eventually became involved. Father Ratigan has now been indicted on child-pornography charges, while Bishop Finn has been charged for failing to report the priest promptly to civil authorities.

Among other things, the Reuters summary shows that the diocese handed over Father Ratigan's computer to the priest's family members, who destroyed it--thereby eliminating crucial evidence in the case. Also, the computer repairman who originally discovered the troubling photos informed Church leaders, but he too failed to report Father Ratigan to police.

 

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Further information:

• Special report: Who knew what in Kansas City child porn case (Reuters)
• Support, criticism for Bishop Finn (CWN, 10/26)